had known that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had known that" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in conditional sentences or to express a past realization or understanding that occurred before another past event. Example: "If I had known that you were coming, I would have prepared a better meal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He had known that was the most he could ask.

Vice

I had known that all along.

The New York Times

Somehow I had known that I would see her.

The New York Times

He had known that the end was near.

The New Yorker

If I had known that I wouldn't have done it.

The Guardian

He told me if he had known that I stayed, he would not come.

Independent

"I wouldn't have signed if I had known that," he said.

The New York Times

"If we had known that beforehand, it would have been a lot easier".

The New York Times

Agents had known that there was a major money launderer whose phone sat in Lebanon.

The New York Times

I had known that sooner or later, this night would come.

The New York Times

If they had known that others had died, it would have been a bigger disaster".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had known that" in conditional sentences, ensure the main clause uses 'would have' to maintain grammatical consistency and convey hypothetical past scenarios.

Common error

Avoid using simple past tense instead of past perfect when indicating a prior state of knowledge. For example, don't say "I knew that he left", but rather "I "had known that" he had left" to correctly show the sequence of events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had known that" functions as a past perfect clause, indicating prior knowledge or awareness before a specific point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It often introduces subordinate clauses providing context or conditions for past actions or situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had known that" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed construct in English, primarily serving to establish a past state of knowledge in relation to a subsequent event. According to Ludwig AI, it's deemed correct and appears across various contexts, with a strong presence in News & Media. When writing with "had known that", ensure that the subsequent clause maintains a consistent past tense to preserve grammatical accuracy. Alternative phrases like "was aware that" or "realized that" can be used for variety, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was aware that

Focuses on the state of being conscious or informed about something in the past.

realized that

Emphasizes the moment of becoming aware or understanding something in the past.

understood that

Highlights a comprehension or grasp of information in the past.

was cognizant that

A more formal way of saying "was aware that", suitable for academic or professional contexts.

had been informed that

Indicates that the knowledge was received from an external source.

had learned that

Suggests the knowledge was acquired through experience or study.

had discovered that

Implies that the knowledge was found out, often unexpectedly.

had found out that

An informal way of saying "had discovered that".

had ascertained that

Highlights the process of finding something out for certain.

had the impression that

Indicates a feeling or belief, not necessarily based on concrete evidence.

FAQs

How to use "had known that" in a sentence?

Use "had known that" to indicate a piece of information that you possessed before a certain point in the past. For example, "If I "had known that" the road was icy, I wouldn't have driven so fast."

What's the difference between "knew that" and "had known that"?

"Knew that" refers to a past state of knowledge, while "had known that" indicates knowledge possessed before another past event. The latter emphasizes the sequence of events and past perfect tense.

Which is correct, "I knew that" or "I "had known that"?

Both can be correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "I knew that" simply states a past fact. "I "had known that" implies that the knowledge was relevant to a subsequent past event or situation.

What can I say instead of "had known that"?

You can use alternatives like "was aware that", "realized that", or "understood that" depending on the context.