he definitely knows

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'he definitely knows' is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use the phrase to indicate that someone has a certain amount of knowledge regarding a subject or a situation. Example: Based on his years of experience, he definitely knows what it takes to succeed in this industry.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"He definitely knows the business.

The New York Times

He definitely knows what a metaphor is".

The Guardian - Film

So he definitely knows how to do it".

The New York Times - Sports

"He definitely knows where he is," Dr Odom said in his testimony.

Independent

He definitely knows my appreciation for what he did that day".

The New York Times

"He definitely knows where he is," Dr. Odom said of Mr. Tsarnaev's state of mind.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Well, he definitely knew me".

The Guardian

Despite cries of "Margo-cheat-o," despite Pacquiao's assertion that he definitely knew, Margarito has remained steadfast.

The New York Times - Sports

"He definitely knew a whole lot more about the school than the coaches of the other schools I was looking at," said Chrissie Norwich, a senior defenseman from Bloomington, Minn., who is a politics and international relations major.

The New York Times

He couldn't have known that One Day – which traced the on-and-mostly-off love affair between Emma and Dexter from studenthood to middle age, revisiting them each year on St Swithin's Day – would take off quite as stratospherically as it did, but he definitely knew it had something: "I thought that idea of these 20 snapshots telling a bigger story was a good idea.

The Guardian - Books

He definitely knew how to be authentic.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he definitely knows", ensure the context provides clear indication of what exactly he knows. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the subject or area of expertise.

Common error

Avoid using "he definitely knows" when you only have assumptions or weak evidence. Use phrases like "he probably knows" or "he might know" if you are unsure, as overstating can damage your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he definitely knows" primarily functions as a statement of strong belief or conviction about someone's knowledge. According to Ludwig's analysis, this phrase is commonly used to assert someone's understanding or awareness of a particular subject or situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he definitely knows" is a phrase used to strongly assert someone's knowledge about a specific topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English. With many examples coming from news and media outlets, its register is typically neutral, making it widely applicable across different contexts. To enhance clarity, always specify what "he" knows. While it's a useful expression, avoid overstating the certainty without sufficient evidence. Consider alternatives like "he certainly knows" or "he really knows" to tailor the level of conviction to your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he certainly knows

Replaces "definitely" with "certainly", indicating a strong degree of confidence.

he undoubtedly knows

Uses "undoubtedly" instead of "definitely" to emphasize the lack of doubt.

he positively knows

Uses "positively" to reinforce the certainty of his knowledge.

he really knows

Emphasizes the extent of his knowledge.

he truly knows

Highlights the genuineness and depth of his knowledge.

he is definitely aware

Replaces "knows" with "is aware" to convey understanding.

he is certainly informed

Emphasizes the fact that he possesses information.

he is no doubt aware

Express certainty of his awareness.

he is well-informed

Highlights that the person has lots of information about certain topic.

he has full understanding

Suggests complete and comprehensive knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "he definitely knows" in a sentence?

You can use "he definitely knows" to express a strong conviction that someone possesses specific knowledge or understanding. For example: "He's been working in this field for years, so "he definitely knows" the ins and outs of the industry".

What are some alternatives to "he definitely knows"?

Some alternatives include "he certainly knows", "he undoubtedly knows", or "he really knows", depending on the context and the level of emphasis you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "he definitely knew"?

Yes, "he definitely knew" is the past tense form of the phrase, indicating that he possessed the knowledge at some point in the past. For example: "He definitely knew the answer to the question, but he chose not to say anything".

What is the difference between "he definitely knows" and "he probably knows"?

"He definitely knows" expresses a strong conviction, whereas "he probably knows" indicates a higher degree of uncertainty. Use "he probably knows" when you suspect but are not certain that he possesses the knowledge.