be known to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'be known to' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express familiarity with somebody or something. Example: His work in film and television is known to almost everyone.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It needs to be known to everyone.

The New York Times

And Baxter's father, alive or dead, might not even be known to his son.

The New Yorker

"We need one common truth to be known to everyone," he said.

The New York Times

("They didn't want to be known to manipulate the pitch of sound," Hildebrand says).

The New Yorker

"So we let it be known to various clients and agencies that this was available".

The New York Times - Sports

Dated "1868", it reveals information never to be known to the modern-day researchers.

The Guardian - Books

The twisting path of the Hamdan case may be known to newspaper readers.

The New York Times - Books

"The idea is that in a school, every single kid has to be known to someone.

The New York Times

Feeling that his phone number, however private, should be known to himself, he phoned Information.

The New Yorker

The Soviets introduced a policy that came to be known to its critics as "official Islam".

The New Yorker

Repeatedly, he let it be known to journalists that he was itching to expel Mr. Arafat.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be known to", ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify who or what the subject is known to.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions after "known". The correct form is "known to", not "known by" when indicating familiarity or awareness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be known to" functions as a passive construction indicating recognition or familiarity. Ludwig AI examples show it used to express that a fact, person, or concept is understood or recognized by someone.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

57%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be known to" serves as a passive construction used to indicate familiarity, recognition, or awareness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its frequent use in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While "be known to" is versatile, it's essential to ensure clarity in sentence structure and avoid common preposition errors. Alternatives like "be recognized by" or "be familiar to" can provide subtle shifts in emphasis, but the core meaning remains consistent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be familiar to

Implies a level of understanding or prior acquaintance.

be recognized by

Focuses more on the act of recognition rather than general awareness.

be understood by

Emphasizes comprehension and grasp of a concept or idea.

be apparent to

Highlights the ease with which something can be perceived.

be revealed to

Suggests a disclosure or unveiling of information.

be disclosed to

Emphasizes the act of making information available.

be no stranger to

Indicates significant experience or frequent exposure.

be conversant with

Implies a deep understanding and ability to discuss something.

be privy to

Suggests access to private or confidential information.

be in the know about

Indicates awareness of current information, often exclusive.

FAQs

How can I use "be known to" in a sentence?

Use "be known to" to indicate that something is familiar or recognized by someone. For example, "Her work is "be known to" many experts in the field".

What does "be known to" mean?

"Be known to" signifies that something is recognized, familiar, or understood by a particular person or group.

What are some alternatives to "be known to"?

You can use alternatives such as "be recognized by", "be familiar to", or "be understood by" depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to use "be known to" or "be familiar to"?

"Be known to" and "be familiar to" are generally interchangeable, but "be familiar to" can sometimes imply a deeper level of understanding or personal acquaintance.