even really knew

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "even really knew" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express surprise or disbelief about someone's knowledge or awareness of something. Example: "I was shocked to find out that he even really knew about the secret plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

I don't think I even really knew he liked me while he was a defensive coordinator.

The New York Times - Sports

I would also recommend Raymond Carver's Fires, a book which prepared me for writing before I even really knew that I wanted to be a writer.

The Guardian - Books

Nobody even really knew what doing a thing for Netflix was.

Los Angeles Times

I started to wonder if she even really knew that what she was saying wasn't true.

Huffington Post

Pretty quickly I knew I wanted to make a film about him, before I even really knew about his life".

Vice

Pretty quick I knew I wanted to make a film about him, before I even really knew about his life".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

We don't even really know".

The New York Times

"I don't even really know why I did it.

The New York Times - Sports

We don't even really know what to call him.

Independent

They don't even really know what you do.

Harvard Business Review

I don't even really know how I did it.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "even really knew" to express surprise that someone had knowledge of something, especially when it was unexpected or assumed they wouldn't know.

Common error

Avoid using "even really knew" when a simple "knew" would suffice. The 'even' and 'really' add emphasis, so use it when highlighting a surprising or unexpected level of awareness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even really knew" functions as a modifier to the verb "knew", adding emphasis to the unexpected nature of the knowledge. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is acceptable and commonly used. It highlights a surprising or unanticipated awareness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "even really knew" is a grammatically sound way to express surprise or disbelief regarding someone's knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. While not exceedingly common, it finds its primary usage in news and media contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure it aligns with your intention to emphasize the unexpected nature of the knowledge. Consider alternatives like "didn't actually realize" or "wasn't truly aware" to fine-tune the nuance of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had no real idea

Highlights the absence of a concrete or substantial understanding.

wasn't truly aware

Emphasizes a lack of genuine awareness or understanding.

didn't quite understand

Implies a partial lack of comprehension.

didn't actually realize

Focuses on the realization aspect, implying a discovery of something previously unknown.

was oblivious to

Indicates a complete lack of awareness or perception.

never fully grasped

Indicates a failure to completely comprehend something.

wasn't completely conscious of

Emphasizes a lack of full awareness or attention.

failed to appreciate

Suggests a lack of understanding and value assigned to something.

underestimated the importance

Focuses on not recognizing the significance of something.

overlooked the fact

Highlights the act of missing or disregarding a specific detail.

FAQs

How can I use "even really knew" in a sentence?

Use "even really knew" to express surprise or disbelief that someone was aware of something. For example, "I didn't think he "even really knew" about the company's financial troubles."

What's a less emphatic alternative to "even really knew"?

If you want to convey simple knowledge without surprise, use "knew" or "was aware". The phrase ""even really knew"" adds emphasis to the unexpected nature of the knowledge.

What words can I use instead of "even really knew"?

Alternatives include "didn't actually realize", "wasn't truly aware", or "had no real idea", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "even really knew" grammatically correct?

Yes, ""even really knew"" is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in informal contexts, to add emphasis to the unexpected nature of someone's knowledge.