can know about

USAGE SUMMARY

"can know about" is a grammatically correct phrase in written English.
It is used to express the ability or possibility to have knowledge or information about something. Example: "With the internet, we can know about different cultures and customs from all over the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"That we can know about, yet".

The New Yorker

[1] The more you know about their direction, the less you can know about their speed.

The New York Times

You can know about something, but if you're sure it's nonsense you can't know it.

The New Yorker

"I think we have learned everything we can know about this," he said.

The New York Times

Spark was intensely interested in how much we can know about anyone, and interested in how much a novelist, who most pretends to such knowledge, can know about her characters.

The Guardian - Books

Spark was intensely interested in how much we can know about anyone and in how much a novelist, who most pretends to such knowledge, can know about her characters.

The Guardian - Books

"Cadets can't know every foreign culture, obviously, but they can know about a culture or some cultures," General Kaufman said.

The New York Times

This is such an unusual show, but I'm trying to let as many people as I can know about it.

The Guardian

"The whole world can know about it if I put in my credit card number," Justice Ginsburg said.

The New York Times

All we can know about this remarkable civilisation, in fact, is from what's been found in the ground.

The Guardian

Historical criticism is interested in the historical actualities of the Biblical world, and is keen to discover what we can know about who wrote what, and when.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can know about" to express the possibility of acquiring information. For instance, "By reading books, you "can know about" different cultures".

Common error

Avoid using "can know about" when a simpler verb like "learn" or "discover" would suffice. Redundancy can weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can know about" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating the possibility or potential to acquire knowledge or information regarding a particular subject. As shown in Ludwig, it emphasizes the ability to learn or become informed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can know about" is a versatile and commonly used expression that signifies the possibility of acquiring knowledge or information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely employed in various contexts, particularly in news media and scientific domains. Understanding its function and purpose enables precise communication, emphasizing potential learning opportunities. While "can know about" is generally safe to use in many contexts, it's important to avoid redundancy by using more direct alternatives like "learn" or "discover" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can learn about

Focuses on the process of acquiring knowledge, rather than the state of knowing.

can find out about

Highlights the act of investigation and information retrieval.

can discover about

Emphasizes finding out something previously unknown.

can ascertain about

Suggests a more formal or investigative approach to finding information.

can gain insight into

Emphasizes developing a deeper, more nuanced understanding.

can understand about

Highlights comprehension and insight, not just awareness.

can be informed about

Shifts the focus to receiving information rather than actively seeking it.

can perceive

Conveys the possibility of grasping or becoming conscious of something, often subtly.

can be aware of

Implies a general consciousness or recognition of something.

can be told about

Indicates that knowledge is gained through being informed by someone else.

FAQs

How can I use "can know about" in a sentence?

You can use "can know about" to indicate the possibility of gaining knowledge on a certain subject. For example, "Through research, scientists "can know about" the origins of the universe".

What can I say instead of "can know about"?

Alternatives include "can learn about", "can discover about", or "can find out about depending on the context".

Is it correct to say "can to know about"?

No, "can to know about" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "can know about", where "can" is a modal verb followed by the base form of the verb "know".

What is the difference between "can know about" and "know"?

"Know" implies a state of already possessing knowledge, while "can know about" suggests the potential or possibility of gaining knowledge. For example, "I know about history" versus "I "can know about" history by reading books".