being known as

USAGE SUMMARY

"being known as" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when introducing someone by their nickname or an alternate name they go by. For example: "John Smith, better known as J.S., has been a fixture in the town for years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Are you tired of being known as the chimpanzee lady?

The New York Times - Magazine

They think being known as a center limits you.

The New Yorker

There was a strain to being known as a couple.

The New Yorker

I like being known as a criminal associate.

The New Yorker

"Or we would be stuck being known as Rhodesians".

The Guardian

He's less happy about being known as a sentimentalist.

The New York Times

She rather liked being known as a fierce political animal.

The Guardian

Being known as a fine golfer is a valuable currency.

The New York Times

Are you sick of being known as the writer who coined the word "cyberspace" in 1982?

The New York Times - Magazine

Best thing about reputation as a pest: It's better than being known as soft.

The New York Times - Magazine

Imagine being known as the one who traded Kevin Garnett or Allen Iverson.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "being known as" to introduce a common alias or nickname of a person, place, or thing, especially when the formal name is also provided for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "being known as" when a simpler past tense verb like "was known as" or "is known as" is more appropriate and concise, especially in historical contexts.

Linguistic Context

Being known as functions as a participial phrase, often acting as an adjectival modifier to describe a noun. It indicates how someone or something is generally recognized or identified. Ludwig shows numerous examples across various domains confirming its role in descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Science

8%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "being known as" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for indicating an alternative name or a common perception, as affirmed by Ludwig. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse writing contexts, although more formal synonyms might be preferable in academic or scientific settings. As Ludwig AI states, it is perfectly valid and appears very frequently across varied publications and contexts. The most frequent sources of this term are "News & Media" and "Science".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being recognized as

Emphasizes formal acknowledgement or acceptance of someone or something's status.

being referred to as

Highlights the act of mentioning or alluding to someone or something by a specific name.

being called

Focuses on the name or title someone or something is typically addressed by.

being identified as

Stresses the act of associating someone or something with a particular characteristic or label.

being labeled as

Emphasizes the assignment of a specific category or classification to someone or something.

being considered as

Indicates a perception or opinion about someone or something's nature or quality.

being regarded as

Suggests a high level of esteem or respect associated with someone or something.

being deemed as

Implies a formal judgment or assessment of someone or something's status.

being styled as

Highlights the way someone or something is presented or portrayed to the public.

being branded as

Focuses on the marketing or promotional identity associated with someone or something.

FAQs

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

You can use "being known as" to introduce an alternative name or description. For example, "John Smith, "being known as" 'Smitty,' is the team captain."

What phrases are similar to "being known as"?

Similar phrases include "being referred to as", "being recognized as", and "being called". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "being known as" formal or informal?

"Being known as" is generally neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but consider alternatives for more formal writing.

When should I use "is known as" instead of "being known as"?

Use "is known as" when describing a current, established fact. Use "being known as" when describing a process or a state of becoming recognized. For example: "The city is known as the 'City of Angels,'" versus "He dislikes being known as 'the one who failed.'"