in full knowledge of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in full knowledge of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation in which someone is aware of all the facts regarding a certain situation. For example, "They signed the contract in full knowledge of the consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Davis said that British intelligence agencies had suggested to Pakistan's intelligence agency, ISI, that Ahmed should be detained, "in full knowledge of the normal methods used by the ISI against terrorist suspects that it holds".

The Guardian

It was awarded in full knowledge of the conditions.

The Guardian - Sport

Ireland was not so lucky, but it entered in full knowledge of the risks involved.

The Guardian - Business

But he wants them do so in full knowledge of the facts.

The Guardian

We finish the concert in full knowledge of the piano's secrets: no corner remains unexplored.

The Guardian - Music

"The number," he says in full knowledge of the ironic punch he is about to pull, "is zero.

The Guardian

She died that night, too, but Risher thought it preferable that Roof live out every day of his natural life in full knowledge of what he had done.

The New Yorker

Maybe this time, New Yorkers would vote in full knowledge of the consequences of sweeping out all elected officials at once.

The New York Times

In a parallel with Osama bin Laden's case, I am convinced that elements of the Serbian army were in full knowledge of his whereabouts all these years.

The Guardian - Opinion

Poles, after all, had elected him in 1995 in full knowledge of his former life as a bright young member of the Communist Party.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

But in legal arguments (PDF) about why the claims under the Hong Kong agreement should fail, Australia said the company bringing the challenge – Philip Morris Asia – had acquired its shares in Philip Morris Australia in early 2011 "in the full knowledge" of the government's decision in 2010 to introduce plain packaging.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in full knowledge of", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific facts or information the subject was fully aware of. Avoid vagueness.

Common error

Don't assume "in full knowledge of" means implied awareness. It suggests the subject had concrete, demonstrable knowledge. If the knowledge is inferred, consider alternatives like "presumably aware" or "likely knew".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in full knowledge of" functions as a prepositional modifier, adding detail about the circumstances surrounding an action or decision. It emphasizes that someone acted with complete awareness and understanding of the relevant facts, as evidenced by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in full knowledge of" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate complete awareness and understanding before an action or decision. According to Ludwig, it's primarily used in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts and has a neutral to formal tone. When using this phrase, be sure the subject had demonstrably clear knowledge rather than just an implied awareness. Alternatives like "fully aware of" or "completely cognizant of" can be considered, depending on the desired emphasis. Remember, as highlighted in Ludwig's AI response, using "in full knowledge of" implies a strong assertion of awareness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fully aware of

More concise and direct, omitting "knowledge" but retaining the sense of complete awareness.

with full awareness of

Similar meaning with a different word order.

completely cognizant of

More formal and emphasizes a conscious awareness.

mindful of

Emphasizes attentiveness and consideration.

conscious of

Shorter alternative, implying awareness without necessarily implying complete understanding.

understanding of

Focuses on comprehension rather than just awareness.

apprised of

Implies having been informed of something, rather than necessarily understanding it fully.

abreast of

Implies staying up-to-date with information, often in a professional context.

informed about

A more general term indicating awareness of information.

familiar with

Suggests acquaintance or experience with a subject, but not necessarily complete understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "in full knowledge of" in a sentence?

You can use "in full knowledge of" to indicate that someone is completely aware of the details, facts, or implications of a situation before making a decision or taking action. For example, "She signed the contract "in full knowledge of the risks"."

What phrases are similar to "in full knowledge of"?

Similar phrases include "fully aware of", "completely cognizant of", or "with full awareness of". The choice depends on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it better to say "in full knowledge" or "with full knowledge"?

"In full knowledge of" and "with full knowledge of" are both grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. "In full knowledge of" is slightly more common.

What's the difference between "in full knowledge of" and "presumed knowledge of"?

"In full knowledge of" indicates a definite awareness of facts, whereas "presumed knowledge of" implies an assumption that someone should have known something, whether or not they actually did.