do you know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do you know" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a polite way of asking for information. For example: "Do you know what time the movie starts?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Do you know Kivu?

The New York Times

Do you know Benihana?

The New York Times

"Do you know us".

The New Yorker

What do you know?

The New York Times - Food

Do you know that?

The New Yorker

Do you know why?

The New York Times - Sports

Do you know anyone?

The New Yorker

Do you know Bertien?

The New York Times

Do you know more?

The New Yorker

Do you know Skrillex?

The New York Times - Arts

Do you know Boucher?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "do you know" to politely inquire about information or someone's familiarity with a topic or person. For instance, "Do you know where the library is located?"

Common error

Avoid starting every question with "do you know". Vary your sentence structure by using alternatives like "are you familiar with" or directly stating your request for information.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "do you know" is to form an interrogative clause, used for seeking information or confirmation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability for politely asking questions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

25%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "do you know" is a versatile and commonly used interrogative for seeking information or assessing familiarity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and general applicability. While suitable for most situations, varying your phrasing with alternatives like "are you familiar with" can enhance your writing. Its prevalence in news media and academic sources underscores its acceptability across diverse contexts. Remember to avoid overuse to maintain clarity and engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Do you happen to know

Adds a touch of politeness and implies uncertainty about whether the listener has the information.

Are you familiar with

Replaces "do you know" with a more formal tone, emphasizing familiarity with a subject or person.

Are you aware of

Emphasizes the listener's awareness or knowledge of a particular fact or situation.

Have you heard of

Focuses on whether the listener has encountered information about a specific topic or person.

Are you informed about

Inquires about the listener's level of information on a specific topic.

Do you have information about

Directly asks if the listener possesses specific details regarding a subject.

Do you have any knowledge of

A more elaborate way of asking if the listener possesses any information about something.

Are you acquainted with

Asks if the listener has a personal connection or familiarity with someone.

Can you tell me about

Shifts the focus from simply knowing to providing information or details.

Do you understand

Checks for comprehension rather than just simple awareness or familiarity.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "do you know" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, you could use phrases like "are you familiar with" or "are you aware of" instead of "do you know".

What's a more casual alternative to "do you know"?

In a more casual setting, consider using phrases like "have you heard of" or simply, "know about".

How to use "do you know" in a sentence?

You can use "do you know" to ask for information, such as "Do you know what time the meeting starts?" or to inquire about someone's familiarity with a person or topic, such as "Do you know John from accounting?"

Is it ever incorrect to use "do you know"?

While generally correct, overusing "do you know" can make your speech sound repetitive. Try varying your sentence structure and using alternative phrases when appropriate.