have known

USAGE SUMMARY

"have known" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is the present perfect tense of the verb "to know" and is used to describe an action that started in the past and continues to the present. Example: I have known Jessica since we were in kindergarten together.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We should have known.

The New York Times

Who would have known?

The New York Times

I should have known.

Forbes

He should have known.

The New Yorker

Steve should have known.

The New Yorker

"Should we have known?

The New York Times

Should he have known?

The New Yorker

No one would have known.

The New York Times - Arts

I have known a man.

The New Yorker

Maybe I should have known.

The New York Times - Magazine

Apparently I should have known.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have known" to express a state of knowing that began in the past and continues to the present. For example, "I "have known" her for many years" indicates an ongoing relationship.

Common error

Avoid using "have known" when referring to a single, completed action in the past. Instead, use the simple past tense, such as "I knew him then."

Linguistic Context

"Have known" serves as the present perfect form of the verb "to know." It indicates a state or condition that began in the past and continues into the present. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in expressing ongoing familiarity or awareness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have known" is a common and grammatically correct construction in English, serving as the present perfect tense of "to know". As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies a state or condition that started in the past and continues to the present. Found predominantly in "News & Media" contexts, with strong support from authoritative sources like The New York Times, it's versatile enough for both casual and formal communication. To avoid common errors, remember that "have known" is best used for ongoing states, not isolated past events; and consider alternatives like "been aware of" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

been aware of

Focuses on the state of awareness rather than the experiential aspect of knowing.

been familiar with

Emphasizes acquaintance and understanding rather than direct personal knowledge.

recognized

Highlights the act of identifying or acknowledging someone or something, implying prior knowledge.

understood

Focuses on comprehension and insight rather than simply knowing of something.

have experienced

Shifts the focus to personal experiences and encounters, rather than just knowledge.

have encountered

Highlights the act of coming across or facing something, implying a brief or incidental interaction.

have identified

Emphasizes the act of recognizing or distinguishing someone or something, often in a specific context.

have distinguished

Highlights the ability to differentiate between things, implying a deeper level of knowledge.

have ascertained

Focuses on the process of discovering or confirming something, often through investigation.

have been privy to

Highlights the state of being informed about something confidential or secret.

FAQs

How is "have known" used in a sentence?

"Have known" is used to express a state of knowing or familiarity that started in the past and continues to the present. For example, "They "have known" each other since childhood".

What's the difference between "have known" and "knew"?

"Have known" (present perfect) indicates a continued state from the past to now, while "knew" (simple past) refers to a specific time in the past. "I "have known" her for years" implies an ongoing relationship, whereas "I knew her then" refers to a past acquaintance.

Which is correct, "have known" or "had known"?

Both are correct but used in different contexts. "Have known" describes a state continuing to the present, while "had known" (past perfect) describes a state that existed before another point in the past. For example, "I had known him before he moved away".

What can I say instead of "I should have known"?

Alternatives include "I should have realized", "I ought to have known", or "I should have anticipated" depending on the context.