by knowing about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by knowing about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the means or method of gaining knowledge or understanding regarding a particular subject or topic. Example: "You can improve your decision-making skills by knowing about the various options available to you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Have they endangered their own lives simply by knowing about it?

The New York Times

When I was younger, I moved around a lot – I'm a military child – and by knowing about music I could very quickly find my people, my friends.

The Guardian

A smart consumer can negotiate a better deal by knowing about a dealer's incentive, which is listed by online car-buying services like Edmunds.

The New York Times

Thus, by knowing about the part-similarity between erlebs alone, we seem to be able to reconstruct their properties with the method of quasi-analysis.

SEP

By knowing about your habits, travel bookings, OpenTable reservations and everything else that can be found by sleuthing through your Gmail inbox, Google Now is already pretty useful.

TechCrunch

I also have many personal examples of business partners that have formed a much deeper and better relationship by knowing about ADP's commitment to the LGBTQ community.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

While alphabets tend to be small, syllabaries can be quite large: there are more than 50,000 Chinese characters, though most people can get by with knowing about 5,000.

The New York Times - Books

Because by not knowing about and preparing for what lies ahead, there's nothing to cushion the blow.

HuffPost

As Dietrich Elchlepp, BMBF division head for young researchers, recognised, "Mobility is not only impeded by inflexible administrative structures, but also by not knowing about the funding opportunities".

Science Magazine

In the end you'll learn from it because you'll know more about your business by knowing more about business in general.

HuffPost

By contrast, knowing about Cuba or Russia means knowing about Communism, the political ideology that has informed much of America's foreign policy in the past half-century.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by knowing about" to clearly indicate that a specific action or outcome is a direct result of having knowledge of something. For instance, "Improve efficiency by knowing about the latest software updates".

Common error

Avoid using "by knowing about" in very basic sentences where simpler phrasing would suffice. For example, instead of saying "He succeeded by knowing about the subject", consider "He succeeded because he knew the subject".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by knowing about" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause, indicating the means or condition through which an action is achieved or a state is attained. Ludwig indicates that this is a grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by knowing about" serves as a grammatically sound and useful construct for illustrating how knowledge impacts outcomes, according to Ludwig. While not overly frequent, its usage is versatile across news, scientific, and academic domains. For enhanced writing, it's advisable to consider alternative phrasings for varied expression and to prevent oversimplification in basic sentences. Remember, effective writing involves strategically choosing the language to highlight the value and impact of awareness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through awareness of

Replaces "knowing" with "awareness", focusing on the state of being conscious of something.

with knowledge of

Emphasizes possessing information about a topic.

being informed about

Highlights the act of receiving information.

having insight into

Focuses on gaining a deeper understanding.

understanding of

Highlights comprehension rather than just awareness.

being cognizant of

A more formal way of saying "being aware of".

by being acquainted with

Suggests a familiarity with the subject matter.

through familiarity with

Focuses on repeated exposure and understanding.

learning about

Highlights the process of acquiring knowledge.

by grasping the essentials of

Emphasizes understanding the basic principles.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "by knowing about" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "through awareness of", "with knowledge of", or "being cognizant of". These alternatives can elevate the sophistication of your writing.

Is it always necessary to include "by" before "knowing about"?

Yes, the preposition "by" is crucial as it indicates the means or method through which knowledge leads to a particular outcome. Omitting it can alter the sentence's meaning.

What's the difference between "knowing about" and "understanding"?

"Knowing about" generally implies having information or awareness, while "understanding" suggests a deeper comprehension and grasp of the subject. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize awareness or comprehension.

Can you provide an example of how not knowing about something can be detrimental?

Consider this: "Companies can face significant financial risks by not knowing about changes in regulations." This highlights the negative consequences of a lack of awareness.