as was known

USAGE SUMMARY

"as was known" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to information that was already known or understood at the time being discussed. Example: As was known to all, the company had been struggling financially for years before finally declaring bankruptcy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

And, in fact, a computer program has come up with a proof that, as far as was known, nobody in the world had ever come up with before.

Yale University

We think there might be as many as four species of amphibian present, instead of just Prionosuchus plummeri as was known previously.

The New York Times

As far as was known, the Vatican had not previously been a party to an international treaty since the Congress of Vienna in 1815.

The Economist

Ms. Rice was careful to say, in preface to her remarks in the days after the Benghazi incident, that her information was such as was known at the time.

The Washington Post

He ignored the fact that, as far as was known, the young men arrested in the Watkins case had not been on drugs and the fact that Watkins had died not of a gunshot but of a knife wound.

The New Yorker

The magazine, with a circulation of 160,000, nearly all of it by subscription, has received about 100 to 150 demands for cancellations, but as far as was known, no advertisers have pulled out.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

As far as is known, yes.

The New Yorker

As far as is known now there will be none.

Princeton University

As far as is known, Epictetus wrote nothing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As far as is known, Mr Cummings never broke any law.

The Economist

As far as is known, life exists only on Earth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as was known", ensure that the context clearly indicates who possessed the knowledge. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the communication.

Common error

Avoid overusing "as was known" in contexts where direct assertion is more effective. Overuse can make writing sound passive or hesitant. Consider stating the fact directly unless acknowledging prior understanding is crucial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as was known" functions as an adverbial clause or phrase, modifying a verb or clause by providing context about prior knowledge or understanding. Ludwig confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as was known" is a grammatically correct phrase used to refer to previously understood information, often in neutral to formal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not overly common, it appears most frequently in news, scientific, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about who possessed the knowledge to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like ""as previously understood"" or ""as had been established"" for slight variations in emphasis. Avoid overuse to maintain a direct and assertive writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as previously understood

Replaces "known" with "understood", emphasizing prior comprehension.

as had been established

Focuses on the established or confirmed nature of the information.

as was already apparent

Highlights the obvious or evident nature of the information.

as it was understood then

Adds a temporal aspect, specifying understanding at a past time.

as everyone knew

Emphasizes the widespread awareness of the information.

as was common knowledge

Indicates the information was generally known.

as it was formerly recognized

Highlights the formal acknowledgment of the information in the past.

as has been previously shown

Draws attention to prior demonstration or proof of the information.

according to prior knowledge

Highlights that a statement aligns with prior knowledge on the topic.

in light of what was known

Introduces information based on the context of prior knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "as was known" in a sentence?

Use "as was known" to refer to information already understood or established within a context. For instance, "As was known to the scientists, the experiment required precise measurements."

What phrases are similar to "as was known"?

Similar phrases include "as previously understood", "as had been established", or "as was already apparent", each offering a slightly different nuance.

Is it better to use "as is known" or "as was known"?

"As is known" refers to present or general knowledge, while "as was known" refers to past knowledge. Use "as was known" when discussing something understood at a specific point in the past.

Can I start a sentence with "as was known"?

Yes, starting a sentence with "as was known" is grammatically correct and can effectively set the context by referring to previously understood information.