acceptable to know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acceptable to know" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing whether certain information or knowledge is deemed appropriate or permissible to have. Example: "In this context, it is acceptable to know the basic principles of the theory before diving deeper into the subject matter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

At last, it is acceptable to know how to bake brownies as well as read a balance sheet.

The Economist

Moreover, Wente calls this a "...polemical tractate" that counsels against the rote, mechanical learning of terms for places, professions, and things; for example, it is not acceptable to know just the place names of western Asia, but also important details about its topography and routes.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

You have to be ready for everything and it's not acceptable not to know what to do".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"We live in a society, and dare I say a university, where few would admit — and none would admit proudly — to not having read any plays by Shakespeare, Lawrence Summerss proclaimed in his 2001 inaugural address as president of Harvard, adding that "it is all too common and all too acceptable not to know a gene from a chromosome".

The New York Times - Books

Rather than provide a confrontational approach by telling people that they have to choose between faith and science, the video depicts scientists discussing how it is acceptable to firmly know that humans evolved based on the evidence to hand, but that this didn't necessarily preclude the existence of a deity.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

The BFP instructors also shared their own challenges as learners to set the tone that it is acceptable to not know yet and that learning well takes time and hard work.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Reviewers are expected to be unbiased and professional, but it is acceptable for them to know the identity of a manuscript's author.

Accounting Forum

To know what a claim of transworld identity amounts to, and whether such claims are acceptable, we need to know what a possible world is, and what it is for an individual to exist in one.

SEP

It's perfectly acceptable for the president to know if someone he's appointing to one of his advisory committees supports his policies or not".

The New York Times - Science

"The landing strip allows a human driving the vehicle to know acceptable parking places for the vehicle," the patent filing says.

BBC

On some level, they deemed his offenses acceptable, and people deserve to know that they are not.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "acceptable to know" when you want to express that it's not just possible to know something, but also appropriate or permissible. This subtly emphasizes the social or ethical dimension of knowledge.

Common error

Avoid using "acceptable to know" when you simply mean something is possible to know. "Acceptable" implies permission or social suitability, not just feasibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acceptable to know" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive. It modifies a noun (often implied) by describing the permissibility or appropriateness of possessing certain knowledge or information. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "acceptable to know" is grammatically correct and serves to indicate that certain information is not only accessible but also permissible or appropriate to possess. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used across a variety of contexts, from news and media to scientific publications and web content. While not extremely frequent, it finds common usage in situations where setting boundaries on what is deemed suitable to be known is necessary. Alternatives include "appropriate to understand" and "permissible to learn", each offering slightly different nuances in meaning. When using "acceptable to know", ensure it aligns with the required level of formality and reflects the social or ethical dimensions of knowledge. Remember, it's about more than just possibility; it's about propriety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appropriate to understand

Focuses on the suitability of comprehension rather than just knowing.

permissible to learn

Emphasizes the allowance or authorization to acquire knowledge.

suitable to be aware of

Highlights the appropriateness of having awareness about something.

allowable to comprehend

Similar to permissible, but with a stronger emphasis on understanding.

fitting to recognize

Focuses on the relevance and appropriateness of acknowledging something.

right to acknowledge

Expresses the entitlement or moral justification for acknowledging something.

justifiable to grasp

Suggests there's a valid reason or justification for understanding.

legitimate to perceive

Implies that perceiving or understanding something is lawful or valid.

proper to discern

Emphasizes the correctness and suitability of distinguishing or recognizing something.

authorized to know

Indicates that one has official permission or approval to possess certain knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "acceptable to know" in a sentence?

You can use "acceptable to know" to indicate that having certain knowledge is permissible or appropriate in a given situation. For example, "In this field, it is "acceptable to know" the basic principles before advancing."

What is a good alternative to "acceptable to know"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "acceptable to know" could include "appropriate to understand", "permissible to learn", or "suitable to be aware of".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "acceptable to know"?

Use "acceptable to know" when you want to highlight that certain information is not only accessible but also considered appropriate or permissible to be known within a specific context or according to certain standards.

What is the difference between "acceptable to know" and "important to know"?

"Acceptable to know" focuses on the permissibility or appropriateness of possessing certain knowledge, whereas "important to know" emphasizes the significance or necessity of having that knowledge. They address different aspects of the information's value.