it was known

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was known" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to convey that something was already known or understood by someone or a group of people. Example: After years of research, it was known that certain foods could increase brain function.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was known for its brutality and barbaric medical experiments.

Wikipedia

It was known that they could count.

The New York Times - Science

That's how it was known in antiquity.

Yale University

In Germany it was known as Pranger.

Britannica

It was known as the "sin bin".

The Guardian

It was known as the Poulson affair.

The Guardian - Books

It was known to be Soviet propaganda.

The Guardian

It was known as Au Panier Fleuri.

The New Yorker

It was known as the Holy Ground.

The New Yorker

It was known as Everyman's Library.

The New York Times - Books

It was known to the Metropolitan police.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was known" to establish shared understanding or background information before introducing new details or arguments.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions like "it was known", as excessive use can make your writing sound indirect and weaken its impact. Consider using active voice where appropriate for a more direct and engaging style.

Linguistic Context

It was known" functions as a passive construction indicating a state of prior awareness or understanding. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase conveys that something was already established or understood. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts to introduce background information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Encyclopedias

18%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was known" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves to establish shared understanding or provide context by referencing prior knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It is versatile across various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias and academia, but writers should avoid overuse of passive voice to maintain a direct writing style. Alternatives include "it was understood" or "it was recognized", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was recognized

Replaces "known" with "recognized", emphasizing acknowledgment.

it was understood

Substitutes "known" with "understood", highlighting comprehension.

it was established

Replaces "known" with "established", suggesting confirmation.

it was acknowledged

Substitutes "known" with "acknowledged", implying acceptance.

it had been known

Adds a sense of duration to the knowledge.

it was public knowledge

Emphasizes the widespread awareness of the information.

it was common knowledge

Highlights that the information was generally known.

people knew

Simplifies the sentence structure while maintaining the core meaning.

everyone was aware

Focuses on the widespread awareness of the information.

it was no secret

Indicates that the information was not concealed.

FAQs

How can I use "it was known" in a sentence?

The phrase "it was known" is typically used to indicate that something was previously established or understood. For example, "it was known that the experiment had risks, but we proceeded anyway."

What are some alternatives to "it was known"?

Alternatives include "it was understood", "it was recognized", or "it was established", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "it was known" or "people knew"?

The choice depends on the context. "It was known" is more formal and impersonal, while "people knew" is more direct and personal. Use "it was known" when the focus is on the information itself, rather than the people who knew it.

What is the difference between "it was known" and "it is known"?

"It was known" refers to something that was known in the past but may or may not be currently known. "It is known" refers to something that is currently known.