did we know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did we know" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when questioning whether a group of people had prior knowledge about something. Example: "Did we know that the meeting was rescheduled for next week?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

How did we know?

The New York Times

But what did we know?

The New York Times

Did we know that already?

The Economist

How did we know this?

The New York Times - Travel

Did we know that?

The New York Times

Did we know he had a daughter?

The New York Times

But what, exactly, did we know?

The New Yorker

"Little did we know," he says, laughing.

The New York Times

Did we know he played the piano?

The New York Times

How did we know she was mourning?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

But do we know that?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "did we know", ensure the context clearly indicates what the 'we' refers to. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the group or entity in question.

Common error

Avoid using "did we know" when the knowledge was only held by a single individual. Clarify if the knowledge was collective, otherwise rephrase to reflect individual awareness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did we know" primarily functions as an interrogative clause, used to inquire about prior knowledge or awareness within a group. Ludwig shows its common usage in asking whether information was previously known.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "did we know" is a grammatically sound and frequently used interrogative phrase that seeks to establish prior knowledge or awareness among a group. According to Ludwig AI, it is acceptable in written English and is used to question shared knowledge. While its usage is widespread, particularly in news and media, it's important to ensure the "we" accurately reflects the group whose knowledge is being questioned. Alternative phrasing like "were we aware" may offer a more formal tone in certain contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were we aware

Focuses on the state of being conscious or informed.

did we realize

Emphasizes the moment of understanding or becoming aware.

were we cognizant

Implies a formal acknowledgement or realization.

were we informed

Suggests the act of being told or notified.

had we any idea

Highlights a complete lack of knowledge beforehand.

were we told

Emphasizes being given information by someone else.

did we suspect

Implies a feeling of uncertainty or doubt before knowing.

were we privy to

Indicates access to confidential or secret information.

did we anticipate

Highlights expecting something beforehand.

had we foreseen

Focuses on the ability to predict or anticipate.

FAQs

How can I use "did we know" in a sentence?

Use "did we know" to inquire if a group of people were aware of certain information or facts. For example, "Did we know the meeting was postponed?"

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

For a more formal tone, consider using "were we aware" or "were we cognizant". These alternatives emphasize a higher degree of formality and precision.

Are there any common mistakes to avoid when using "did we know"?

Ensure that the "we" genuinely represents a group and not just the speaker's individual knowledge. If it's individual knowledge, rephrase to something like "did I know".

What can I say instead of "did we know" to indicate a lack of prior knowledge?

You could say "had we any idea" or "little "did we know"". These alternatives emphasize the unexpected nature of events.