knew

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "knew" is correct and usable in written English.
It is the past tense form of the verb "know". You can use it when referring to something that happened in the past, for example: I knew that he was lying as soon as he told me his story.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No one really knew.

The New York Times

I knew this was going to be a tough fight and we have run a really strong positive campaign and we have fought for every single vote".

The Guardian

"They knew we wanted to stop consumers being ripped off, but weren't convinced we also wanted businesses to grow and flourish.

The Guardian

People knew how we wanted to stop exploitation in the workplace, but not how we'd grow our workplaces to create more jobs and stronger growth.

The Guardian

He knew it.

The Economist

"We knew this was a legacy issue which had been established by the previous government.

The Guardian

They knew he was making a mess of government and had lost support in the caucus.

The Guardian

He knew what was coming.

The New York Times - Sports

What got me onto this theory was reading that the shoe bomber, a Muslim convert named Richard Reid, had been described by someone who knew him well in England as 'very, very impressionable.' I had already decided that the man was a complete bozo.

The Economist

He remembers it: "Even though they knew you and were aware of your training, it took ages to persuade them".

The Guardian

Until a few years ago, all Rachel knew about him was that he had died at Gallipoli, during the first world war.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "knew", ensure the context clearly establishes the timeframe in the past, preventing ambiguity. For instance, use it with other past tense verbs or time-related adverbs.

Common error

Avoid using "knew" when the context requires the present tense "know" or the future tense "will know". Check the sentence to ensure the timing aligns with a past event or state.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "knew" is as a verb in the simple past tense. It indicates a state of awareness, understanding, or familiarity that existed at some point in the past. Ludwig examples show its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "knew" is the simple past tense of "know", used to express past awareness or understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, particularly in journalistic and narrative contexts. When writing, ensure the tense consistency and consider more formal alternatives like "was aware" for specific situations. Avoid the common error of confusing it with present or perfect tenses. With a very common frequency, according to Ludwig, you'll find the word "knew" used across myriad sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was aware

Emphasizes a state of being informed about something at a specific time in the past.

understood

Focuses on having grasped the meaning or significance of something previously.

recognized

Highlights the act of identifying something or someone familiar from past experience.

realized

Implies a sudden understanding or awareness of something.

had knowledge of

A more formal way of expressing awareness or information about something.

was cognizant of

A highly formal and less common way to indicate awareness.

apprehended

Suggests a firm grasp or understanding, often in a more formal or literary context.

discerned

Implies careful observation and understanding, often in a nuanced or subtle way.

ascertained

Highlights the process of finding something out for certain.

figured out

A more informal way of saying that one has understood or solved something.

FAQs

How is "knew" used in a sentence?

"Knew" is the past tense of "know" and is used to describe a past state of awareness, understanding, or familiarity. For example, "I "knew" she was telling the truth because she never lied before."

What's the difference between "knew" and "know"?

"Knew" is the past tense, while "know" is the present tense. "Knew" refers to something you were aware of in the past, whereas "know" indicates current awareness. For example, "I "know" the answer now, but I didn't "knew" it yesterday."

What can I say instead of "knew" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "was aware", "had knowledge of", or "was cognizant of" in place of "knew". The choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "I have knew"?

No, "I have knew" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "I have known", as "known" is the past participle of "know" and is used with the auxiliary verb "have" to form the present perfect tense.