deserve to know

USAGE SUMMARY

"deserve to know" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express when somebody has a right to be informed of something. For example, "He deserves to know the truth about what happened."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"We deserve to know why".

The New York Times

Voters deserve to know that.

The New York Times

Do they deserve to know?

The New York Times

"They deserve to know the outcome".

The New York Times

And voters deserve to know".

The New York Times

"We deserve to know what's in there".

The New York Times - Science

Americans deserve to know the truth.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Readers and watchers deserve to know the full picture.

The Guardian - Opinion

They deserve to know that they are not alone.

Huffington Post

Deserve to know what opportunities are currently available to them.

Forbes

I think we deserve to know everything that's out there".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deserve to know", ensure the context clearly establishes why the subject is entitled to the information. This strengthens the argument for transparency and fairness.

Common error

Avoid using "deserve to know" in situations where the entitlement to information is not genuinely justified. This can weaken your argument and come across as demanding or entitled.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deserve to know" functions as a declarative expression asserting someone's entitlement to information. It combines the verb "deserve", indicating merit or right, with the infinitive phrase "to know", specifying the object of that right. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "deserve to know" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that asserts someone's right to be informed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's prevalent in news and media, business, and even personal contexts. The phrase emphasizes transparency and accountability, highlighting that certain information should be accessible to those who have a legitimate reason to know. While alternatives like "have a right to know" or "should be informed" exist, "deserve to know" carries a slightly stronger moral implication. Therefore, when employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly warrants the subject's entitlement to the information, and be mindful of sounding overly demanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have a right to know

Emphasizes the legal or moral entitlement to information.

are entitled to know

Similar to "have a right to know", but carries a stronger sense of entitlement.

have a need to know

Highlights the necessity of possessing specific information.

should be informed

Suggests a recommendation or expectation of being told something.

it's their due to know

Emphasizes that knowing is something rightfully owed to someone.

are owed the truth

Focuses on the idea that someone is obligated to reveal the truth.

ought to be told

Indicates a moral or ethical obligation to provide information.

have a legitimate interest in knowing

Highlights the validity and relevance of someone's need for information.

are justified in asking

Suggests that someone has a valid reason for seeking information.

it's incumbent upon us to reveal

Focuses on the duty of someone to disclose information.

FAQs

How can I use "deserve to know" in a sentence?

You can use "deserve to know" to express the right to be informed. For instance, "The public "deserve to know" how their taxes are spent."

What's a more formal way to say "deserve to know"?

A more formal alternative could be "are entitled to know" or "have a right to know", which emphasize the legitimacy of the need for information.

What can I say instead of "deserve to know" to sound less demanding?

To sound less demanding, consider using phrases like "should be informed" or "it would be beneficial to know", which soften the tone while still conveying the importance of the information.

Is it always appropriate to use "deserve to know"?

While generally acceptable, the appropriateness of "deserve to know" depends on the context. Ensure the situation genuinely warrants the expectation of being informed and is not merely a matter of curiosity.