knew about

USAGE SUMMARY

"knew about" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone was aware of a certain fact or circumstance. For example: I already knew about the news that the company was closing its doors.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I knew about manufacturing.

The New York Times

I KNEW about fear.

The New York Times

director — knew about it.

The New York Times

They knew about it.

The New York Times

"Everyone knew about him.

The New York Times

He knew about it.

The New Yorker

"Who knew about it?

Independent

"Nobody knew about this.

Princeton University

I knew about recording history.

The New York Times

No one knew about us.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We knew about the situation".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "knew about" when you want to express that someone had prior knowledge or awareness of a situation, fact, or event. It implies that the person was not only aware but also understood the significance of what they knew.

Common error

Avoid using "knew about" when you simply want to indicate that someone is familiar with something's existence but lacks detailed knowledge. "Know of" is more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "knew about" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of awareness or prior knowledge regarding a specific subject or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

21%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "knew about" is a common and grammatically sound way to express prior knowledge or awareness of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears frequently in news articles, scientific papers, and academic discussions. When writing, be mindful to use "knew about" when implying prior knowledge rather than simply familiarity ( "know of"). Alternative phrases like "was aware of" or "had knowledge of" can be used to add variety or formality to your writing. By understanding the nuances of "knew about", you can communicate your intended meaning with greater precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was aware of

More formal alternative indicating consciousness of something.

had knowledge of

Emphasizes possessing information about something.

was informed of

Suggests receiving information, implying a passive role.

was acquainted with

Indicates a familiarity or understanding of something.

had heard of

Suggests awareness through secondhand information.

was privy to

Implies being among a select group with access to certain knowledge.

possessed insight into

Highlights a deeper understanding of a situation.

underestimated

Indicates a lack of full awareness or appreciation.

recognized

To acknowledge or be aware of something's existence or truth.

detected

Suggests discovering something that was not initially obvious.

FAQs

How can I use "knew about" in a sentence?

You can use "knew about" to indicate prior knowledge. For example, "He "knew about" the meeting beforehand" suggests he was aware of the meeting before it happened.

What's the difference between "knew about" and "found out about"?

"Knew about" implies prior knowledge, while "found out about" indicates that the knowledge was acquired recently. "She "knew about" the project from the start", but "She "found out about" the project yesterday".

Which is correct, "knew about it" or "knew of it"?

"Knew about it" suggests awareness and some understanding, whereas "knew of it" implies a vague familiarity. The correct choice depends on the context.

What can I say instead of "knew about"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "was aware of", "had knowledge of", or "was informed of" to convey a similar meaning.