be known since

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be known since" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; a more appropriate phrase would be "has been known since" to indicate a continuous state from a specific time in the past. Example: "This species has been known since the early 1800s for its unique characteristics."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Truth be known, since my eyes were opened, my Wi-Fi habits haven't actually changed much.

The New York Times

The full background to the crime may never be known, since the alleged perpetrators are now gone.

The Guardian - Opinion

Vincent (as he preferred to be known, since so many people mispronounced van Gogh) was for the most part a "very ordinary child," as Mr. Sweetman writes.

The New York Times - Books

The extent and lasting impact of the looting in sites like Dubrum may never be known, since they have never been properly excavated to begin with.

The New York Times

Yet the full extent of civilian casualties may never be known, since Mr Assad's men blocked Red Cross convoys from reaching Baba Amr.Syria's suffering is not limited to Homs.

The Economist

The site happens to be the likely location of a Ptolemaic palace, but this will never now be known since the ultra-modern, $180m library extends five storeys underground.Luckily for antiquarians, a turning point seems to have been reached.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

That has been known since 1939.

The Economist

Natural adhesives have been known since antiquity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Anthrax has been known since biblical times.

The New York Times

This has been known since the 1970s.

The Guardian

The superregenerative principle has been known since the early 1920s.

Chaos, Solitons & Fractals

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct tense and auxiliary verbs. "Has been known since" is generally the grammatically correct way to express that something has been known from a certain time until now. For example: "The issue has been known since last year".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "be known since" without the necessary auxiliary verb. This construction is grammatically incorrect. Instead, use "has been known since" or "was known since" depending on the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be known since" functions as part of a clause indicating the duration of awareness or recognition. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically incorrect without an auxiliary verb.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "be known since" appears in various sources, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect without the auxiliary verb "has" or "was". As Ludwig AI highlights, the correct form is typically "has been known since" or "was known since", depending on the context. The sources where it does appear suggest a neutral to formal register, spanning news, science, and encyclopedic content. To ensure grammatical accuracy, it's best to use the complete and correct phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been known since

Adds auxiliary verb "has" to indicate continuous state since a specific time.

was known since

Uses past tense of "to be" with "known" to describe a past state of awareness.

recognized since

Emphasizes acknowledgement or awareness from a specific time.

established since

Highlights the founding or creation from a certain time.

acknowledged since

Focuses on the acceptance or admission from a specific time.

discovered since

Highlights the act of finding something out from a certain time.

identified since

Focuses on pinpointing or naming from a specific time.

understood since

Emphasizes comprehension or knowledge from a specific time.

documented since

Highlights written or recorded evidence from a specific time.

prevalent since

Emphasizes widespread existence from a specific time.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say something has been known for a while?

The correct phrasing is "has been known since". For example, "This phenomenon "has been known since" the 19th century" is grammatically sound.

Can I use "was known since" instead of "has been known since"?

Yes, "was known since" is appropriate when referring to a specific period in the past. Example: "It "was known since" the discovery of the tomb that the mummy was missing".

What are some alternatives to "has been known since"?

Alternatives include "recognized since", "established since", or "acknowledged since", depending on the context.

What is the difference between "be known since" and "has been known since"?

"Be known since" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "has been known since", indicating a state that started in the past and continues to the present. Another alternative is ""was known since"" for an established past fact.