intimately know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intimately know" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a deep, personal understanding or familiarity with someone or something. Example: "After years of friendship, I can confidently say that I intimately know her thoughts and feelings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

MacLane likes working with gifted standup and improv comedians as voice actors in part because they so intimately know their own long-crafted comic strengths.

The Washington Post

While it is clear that there are important consumers of earnings quality such as investment managers and analysts, we focus on the direct producers of earnings quality, who also intimately know and potentially cater to such consumers.

Harvard University

The letters that inspired this journal's name were a continuation of that same lifelong effort to more intimately know the world and his place within it," they said in a message to the journal.

The Guardian - Books

Often, they are in different departments or universities, and they therefore do not intimately know your department's unique environment.

Science Magazine

Since students intimately know their unique schedules, they should best be able to decide when to complete the work.

TechCrunch

They are the ones that intimately know the mechanics involved with each line of business, trends, recent challenges, competitive pressures and where the growth opportunities exist.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

You feel fed and sustained, and that you're intimately known.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The marshlands and saltings, intimately known by the writer, represent a primitive border between life and death.

The Guardian - Books

When I read through the tributes to him after he died, I recognize that no two people who knew him intimately knew him the same way.

The New Yorker

Although Lottie protested, the question seemed intimately known to her, as if she had thrown herself too often against its closed door.

The New Yorker

Still, "Secret Son" is a nuanced depiction of the roots of Islamic terrorism, written by someone who intimately knows one of the stratified societies where it grows.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intimately know" to describe a profound, personal understanding developed through extensive experience or close interaction. It suggests more than just superficial awareness.

Common error

Avoid using "intimately know" in highly formal or technical writing where a more objective term like "thoroughly understand" or "comprehensively analyze" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intimately know" functions as a verb phrase indicating a profound and personal level of understanding or familiarity. It suggests a depth of knowledge that goes beyond superficial awareness, implying close acquaintance or extensive experience, as validated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

17%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "intimately know" is a verb phrase used to express a deep, personal understanding of something or someone. While grammatically correct and commonly used, as noted by Ludwig, its usage is more appropriate in neutral to informal contexts like news and general writing. For more formal or technical writing, alternatives like "deeply understand" or "thoroughly understand" may be more suitable. The phrase conveys a sense of familiarity and profound insight gained through experience or close interaction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deeply understand

Substitutes "know" with "understand", focusing on comprehension rather than familiarity.

be intimately familiar with

Rephrases the verb to emphasize familiarity rather than direct knowledge.

have a profound understanding of

Highlights the depth and significance of understanding.

personally know

Replaces "intimately" with "personally", indicating direct acquaintance rather than deep understanding.

thoroughly know

Highlights the completeness of one's knowledge.

closely know

Focuses on the degree of acquaintance or familiarity, downplaying the depth of understanding.

inherently know

Emphasizes an intuitive or intrinsic understanding rather than acquired knowledge.

intrinsically know

Similar to "inherently know", emphasizing innate or intuitive knowledge.

absolutely know

Highlights certainty and conviction in knowledge, rather than depth of understanding.

firmly know

Emphasizes the strength or certainty of one's knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "intimately know" in a sentence?

Use "intimately know" when you want to express a deep and personal understanding of something or someone, suggesting familiarity gained through close experience. For example: "She "intimately knows" the challenges faced by single parents."

What can I say instead of "intimately know"?

You can use alternatives like "deeply understand", "be intimately familiar with", or "have a profound understanding of" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "intimately know"?

It's appropriate when describing a level of understanding that goes beyond superficial knowledge, implying a personal connection or extensive experience. Avoid using it in purely formal or technical contexts where objective language is preferred.

Is there a difference between "intimately know" and "personally know"?

"Personally know" implies direct acquaintance, while "intimately know" suggests a deeper, more profound understanding that may or may not involve personal contact.