definitely knows

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "definitely knows" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express certainty about someone's knowledge or awareness of a particular fact or situation. Example: "She definitely knows the answer to the question, as she studied the material thoroughly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"He definitely knows the business.

The New York Times

He definitely knows what a metaphor is".

The Guardian - Film

So he definitely knows how to do it".

The New York Times - Sports

Anne Fine definitely knows how to weave a good story.

The Guardian

"He definitely knows where he is," Dr Odom said in his testimony.

Independent

He definitely knows my appreciation for what he did that day".

The New York Times

"He definitely knows where he is," Dr. Odom said of Mr. Tsarnaev's state of mind.

The New York Times

The tourist season may barely have begun, but Ayia Napa definitely knows what it doesn't want.

The Guardian

Eve definitely knows what she's talking about, and I loved every second of reading it.

The Guardian

Stephen Robertson, marketing director of Woolworths definitely knows something we don't.

The Guardian - Opinion

And all the while, she is cradling a rifle like someone who definitely knows how (and plans) to use it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "definitely knows" when you want to express a high degree of certainty about someone's knowledge or understanding. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "definitely knows" is perfectly acceptable, avoid overusing adverbs in your writing. Sometimes, a stronger verb or a more direct sentence structure can convey the same meaning more effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "definitely knows" functions as an emphatic assertion regarding someone's knowledge or understanding. It combines an adverb of certainty ("definitely") with a verb ("knows") to strengthen the statement. As Ludwig AI underlines, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Reference

2%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "definitely knows" is a common and acceptable phrase used to express certainty about someone's knowledge or understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While widely used in neutral contexts like News & Media, alternative phrases might be more suitable for formal or academic writing. When using "definitely knows", ensure that it accurately reflects your intended level of certainty and avoid overuse of adverbs for stronger, more direct writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

certainly knows

Replaces "definitely" with "certainly", maintaining a similar level of conviction but with a slightly more formal tone.

undoubtedly knows

Emphasizes the lack of doubt about someone's knowledge, making the statement stronger.

clearly knows

Highlights the obviousness of someone's knowledge.

absolutely knows

Expresses complete assurance about someone's knowledge.

unquestionably knows

Similar to "undoubtedly knows", it indicates that there's no room for questioning the person's knowledge.

positively knows

Conveys a strong and confident assertion about someone's knowledge.

is definitely aware

Shifts the focus to awareness instead of knowledge, offering a slightly different perspective.

is certainly informed

More formal and emphasizes the state of being informed, rather than the act of knowing.

is well aware

Indicates a good level of understanding and consciousness of a particular fact or situation.

knows full well

Implies that someone not only knows something but also understands the implications or consequences.

FAQs

What does "definitely knows" mean?

The phrase "definitely knows" means that someone has a strong and certain understanding of something. It implies a lack of doubt about their knowledge.

Is "definitely knows" formal or informal?

The phrase "definitely knows" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though alternatives like "certainly knows" or "undoubtedly knows" might be preferred in more formal writing.

What can I say instead of "definitely knows"?

You can use alternatives like "certainly knows", "clearly knows", or "absolutely knows" depending on the context and the level of emphasis you want to convey.

How to use "definitely knows" in a sentence?

You can use "definitely knows" to describe someone's understanding or awareness of a particular fact or situation. For example: "She "definitely knows" the answer to the question" or "He "definitely knows" what he's doing."