be secure in the knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be secure in the knowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to convey a sense of confidence or assurance about a particular fact or situation. Example: "You can be secure in the knowledge that your hard work will pay off in the end."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"Parents should be secure in the knowledge that all publicly funded schools will employ teachers with relevant training and qualifications".

The Guardian

Parents are as complex as their offspring but you can be secure in the knowledge that, in the vast majority of cases, they just want their child to be happy, as do I.

The Guardian - Opinion

The longer he remains in office, the happier Mugabe will be, secure in the knowledge that Tsvangirai's combative style and diminishing influence will be unable to unify the opposition against him.

The Guardian

When the next killer storms strike, and they will, all Americans should be secure in the knowledge that their government, local and federal, will be there ready and able to help.

The New York Times

A visitor to Yale can be secure in the knowledge that she is in the very best of hands, working with terrifically diverse, skilled and driven teams-and receiving the very best care in the world.

Yale University

This along with the trade off to expose your secrets via the patenting process has caused firms of all industries to rethink the once obvious choice to patent one's innovations and be secure in the knowledge that their value was protected and competitors could not steal them.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Sampras is secure in the knowledge that Agassi will never match his 13 Grand Slams.

The New York Times - Sports

But I'm secure in the knowledge that the company operates and was privatised above the law".

The Guardian

I was secure in the knowledge that I had been there on the birth of New York mambo".

The New York Times - Arts

U.A.B. held a 17-7 leandand was secure in the knowledge that Army would have to come back by passing.

The New York Times - Sports

"These are kids who are secure in the knowledge that Atlanta is the center of the hip-hop universe," Sanneh writes of Schmelling's subjects.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be secure in the knowledge", ensure that the knowledge you are referring to is clearly defined and relevant to the context, providing a solid foundation for the sense of security being conveyed.

Common error

Avoid using "be secure in the knowledge" when the information is speculative or lacks sufficient evidence; it can create a false impression of certainty and reliability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be secure in the knowledge" functions as an idiomatic expression to convey a state of confidence or assurance derived from having specific information or understanding. Ludwig shows its use to reassure or provide comfort based on known facts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be secure in the knowledge" is a phrase used to express confidence or assurance derived from having specific information. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and most frequently appears in news and media, academic, and formal business contexts. While alternatives like ""have confidence in"" or ""rest assured"" exist, "be secure in the knowledge" specifically highlights the role of information in creating a sense of security. Remember to use this phrase when you want to instill confidence based on established facts, but avoid it when the information is speculative. With this understanding, you can confidently incorporate "be secure in the knowledge" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have confidence in

Focuses on the feeling of trust and reliance, instead of highlighting information as the source of security.

be confident that

Emphasizes the feeling of confidence, while the original phrase focuses on the basis for that confidence.

be certain of

Highlights the state of certainty rather than the grounding of that certainty in knowledge.

rest assured

Emphasizes reassurance and a lack of worry, differing from actively possessing knowledge.

be assured of

Similar to 'rest assured', it emphasizes the reassurance provided.

know for certain

Focuses on the act of knowing, removing the element of security derived from that knowledge.

be convinced of

Stresses a state of being persuaded, rather than the assurance from information.

take comfort in knowing

Adds an element of emotional solace that the original phrase does not explicitly convey.

find security in the fact that

Highlights security, but through a different syntax and an emphasis on the 'fact'.

rely on the understanding that

Shifts the focus to reliance and understanding, rather than the sense of safety from knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "be secure in the knowledge" in a sentence?

You can use "be secure in the knowledge" to indicate confidence based on specific information. For example, "Students can "be secure in the knowledge" that their tuition fees cover all course materials".

What are some alternatives to "be secure in the knowledge"?

Alternatives include "have confidence in", "rest assured", or "be certain of", each carrying a slightly different nuance.

Is it more appropriate to say "be secure in the knowledge" or "be confident in the knowledge"?

While both are grammatically correct, "be secure in the knowledge" implies a sense of safety and assurance derived from information, whereas "be confident in the knowledge" suggests a belief in one's understanding or application of that information.

What's the difference between "be secure in the knowledge" and "know for certain"?

"Be secure in the knowledge" suggests a feeling of safety or assurance because of the information you possess. "Know for certain"/"know for certain" simply means having definitive knowledge, without necessarily implying a sense of security.