anyone knows that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "anyone knows that" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form would be "anyone know that" or "does anyone know that." Example: "Does anyone know that the meeting has been rescheduled?"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Kwan, more than anyone, knows that.

The New York Times - Sports

As best anyone knows that is where it remains.

Independent

"I don't think anyone knows that number," said Dr. James Johnson, a professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota, "but I think it's substantial".

The New York Times - Health

This production of "Into the Woods," with Liam Steel as co-director, at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park through Aug. 25, is a version of what he staged in London in 2010: as far as anyone knows, that was the first time "Into the Woods" had played in real woods, or among real greenery, anyway.

The New York Times

To me, most of the best music happens under the mainstream radar screen, but unfortunately, hardly anyone knows that music.

Huffington Post

For all anyone knows, that might be the case, since there's still no scientifically proven connection between a certain measurement of THC in your system and dangerous driving.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Does anyone know that?

Cornell University

He is a Special Forces operative with a massive heart but he won't ever let anyone know that.

BBC

Little does anyone know that Watney survived.

Huffington Post

Martin is having problems with his exams, as well as avoiding letting anyone know that Joanna is his mother.

Wikipedia

When I visited Bhopal, I asked around to see if anyone knew that little girl.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for formal writing, replace the phrase "anyone knows that" with alternatives like "it is widely known that" or "everyone is aware that" to maintain a professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "anyone knows that" in formal writing because it's grammatically incorrect. The grammatically correct form is "anyone know that" or "does anyone know that".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "anyone knows that" functions as a statement assuming shared knowledge. Ludwig provides examples where it introduces a fact presumed to be generally understood. While common, Ludwig AI points out its grammatical incorrectness in standard English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

11%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "anyone knows that" is used to imply shared knowledge or common understanding. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically incorrect. Although examples can be found in various sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, its use should be approached with caution, especially in formal writing. Better alternatives such as "everyone knows that" or "it is widely known that" can ensure grammatical correctness while conveying a similar meaning. When aiming for clarity and formality, consider replacing it altogether.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

everybody knows that

Replaces "anyone" with "everybody", suggesting universal knowledge on a more general and informal level.

most people know that

Replaces "anyone" with "most people", indicating a high, but not necessarily universal, level of awareness.

it's common knowledge that

Indicates that something is generally understood or accepted by most people.

everyone is aware of that

Substitutes "knows" with "is aware", adding a touch of formality and implying a state of informedness.

as everyone knows

A shortened, more direct way of saying "as everyone knows that", often used to introduce a commonly accepted fact.

people are generally aware that

Similar to "most people know that", but with a slightly more formal tone and emphasizing awareness.

it is widely known that

Shifts the focus to the information itself being well-known, rather than the individuals knowing it. More formal.

it is no secret that

Suggests that the information is not confidential and is generally known.

it's understood that

Highlights a mutual understanding or agreement on a particular point.

it goes without saying that

Implies that something is so obvious that it doesn't need to be stated explicitly.

FAQs

Is "anyone knows that" grammatically correct?

No, "anyone knows that" is grammatically incorrect. The correct forms are "anyone know that" or "does anyone know that". You can also use alternatives like "everyone is aware of that".

What's a more formal alternative to "anyone knows that"?

For more formal contexts, you can use phrases like "it is widely known that" or "it's common knowledge that".

How can I use "anyone know that" correctly in a sentence?

Use it in questions like "Does anyone know that the deadline has been extended?" or in constructions like "If anyone should know that, it would be her."

What's the difference between "anyone knows that" and "everyone knows that"?

While both express a general awareness, "anyone knows that" is grammatically questionable. Prefer using "everyone knows that" as a more standard and accepted way to convey widespread knowledge.