denied knowing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "denied knowing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone is stating that they do not acknowledge or have knowledge of something, often in a legal or formal context. Example: "The defendant denied knowing anything about the incident that took place that night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ibrahim denied knowing them.

The Guardian

Mr. Tokhtakhounov denied knowing Mr. Mogilevich.

The New York Times

Najib has denied knowing the Mongolian woman.

The Guardian

The men have denied knowing Mr. Shahzad.

The New York Times

Butt strenously denied knowing Sanjay.

The Guardian - Sport

He denied knowing Girl C.

The Guardian

She denied knowing about his Twitter activities.

The Guardian

Mr. Bourke denied knowing about the bribes.

The New York Times

The Kremlin has denied knowing her.

The Washington Post

He denied knowing the reporter's sources.

The New York Times

At first, Jackson denied knowing Barnes, Williams, and Rudolph.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your writing. While "denied knowing" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "disavowed awareness" might be appropriate in certain contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "denied knowing" when the subject is simply mistaken or misinformed, rather than actively denying knowledge. Use phrases like "was unaware" or "did not realize" instead to convey a lack of information without implying deception.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "denied knowing" functions as a verb phrase, typically following a subject and indicating a denial of awareness or acquaintance. Ludwig AI examples illustrate its use across various subjects and contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

13%

Science

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "denied knowing" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a lack of knowledge or awareness, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its usage is particularly prevalent in news and media, with notable occurrences in academic and scientific contexts. While generally neutral in tone, the choice of alternative phrases like "claimed ignorance of" or "was unaware of" can subtly alter the formality or emphasis of the statement. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity about the subject being denied and consider the potential for misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

claimed ignorance of

Replaces "denied" with "claimed ignorance", focusing on the assertion of a lack of knowledge.

disavowed awareness of

Uses "disavowed awareness" to emphasize a stronger denial of any knowledge or connection.

professed ignorance regarding

Emphasizes the act of verbally declaring a lack of knowledge with "professed ignorance regarding".

maintained unfamiliarity with

Highlights the sustained claim of not being acquainted with something, using "maintained unfamiliarity with".

stated a lack of knowledge about

Uses a more formal tone, indicating the speaker made an official statement of not knowing something.

asserted nescience of

Employing "asserted nescience" adds a formal and somewhat archaic tone, emphasizing the claim of unknowing.

pleaded ignorance of

Indicates a defensive stance where ignorance is used as a plea.

declined to acknowledge acquaintance with

More explicitly denies a relationship or association, not just knowledge.

refused to admit knowledge of

Highlights the refusal to acknowledge information, focusing on the act of withholding acknowledgment.

was unaware of

A simpler, more direct way of stating a lack of knowledge.

FAQs

What does "denied knowing" mean?

The phrase "denied knowing" means that someone has stated they do not have knowledge of a particular person, event, or piece of information. It suggests a deliberate act of disavowing awareness.

How to use "denied knowing" in a sentence?

You can use "denied knowing" when someone is asserting that they do not have any knowledge of something. For example: "The suspect "denied knowing" the victim." or "The company "denied knowing" about the illegal activities."

What can I say instead of "denied knowing"?

You can use alternatives like "claimed ignorance of", "disavowed awareness of", or "was unaware of" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "denied knowing" or "denied knowledge of"?

"Denied knowing" is more concise and commonly used. "Denied knowledge of" is also correct but sounds more formal and can sometimes be less direct. The choice depends on the desired tone and style of your writing.