knew already

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "knew already" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone had prior knowledge of something before a certain point in time. Example: "She knew already that the meeting had been canceled before she received the email."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Which we knew already.

Independent

I knew already'.

The Guardian

Everybody knew already.

The New York Times - Arts

"They [my friends and family] knew already.

Independent

Which, let's face it, we knew already.

The Guardian - Sport

Mine, I knew already, is food.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

They should know already".

Independent

My standards he knows already.

Independent

What do they know already?

The Guardian

Not that people don't know already".

The New Yorker

"We know already there are consequences".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "knew already" to emphasize that someone possessed specific information prior to a particular event or revelation. This can add nuance and context to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "knew already" when the context already implies prior knowledge. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. For example, instead of "I knew already that..." consider simply stating "I knew that..." if the 'already' is self-evident.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "knew already" functions as a past tense verb phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that the subject had previous awareness or knowledge of something. Ludwig examples show its prevalent use in various narrative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "knew already" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to emphasize prior knowledge. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and widespread use across various domains. It's crucial to ensure the context warrants its use, avoiding redundancy. Consider alternatives like "was already aware" or "had prior knowledge" for subtle variations in meaning. The phrase finds its strongest presence in news and media, demonstrating its role in conveying established understanding within current events and discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was already aware

Replaces "knew" with "was aware" maintaining the sense of prior knowledge, but using a more formal tone.

had prior knowledge

Substitutes "knew" with the more explicit "had prior knowledge", emphasizing the possession of information beforehand.

was previously informed

Indicates knowledge gained through being told something before, focusing on the source of the knowledge.

already had an idea

Suggests a pre-existing understanding or notion, less definitive than knowing for certain.

possessed this information

A formal way to express having knowledge, highlighting the possession of data or facts.

was cognizant beforehand

Uses more sophisticated vocabulary to convey awareness from an earlier time.

had foreseen

Implies anticipating something before it happened, going beyond simply knowing.

was no surprise

Focuses on the lack of surprise due to pre-existing knowledge, shifting the emphasis.

was an open secret

Highlights that the information was widely known, rather than just by the individual.

took it for granted

Implies the information was so well-known it was assumed to be true, slightly altering the nuance.

FAQs

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

You can use "knew already" to emphasize prior knowledge. For example: "She "knew already" about the surprise party."

What are some alternatives to "knew already"?

Alternatives include "was already aware", "had prior knowledge", or "was previously informed", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it redundant to say "knew already"?

Sometimes, yes. If the context makes it clear the knowledge was pre-existing, the "already" may be unnecessary. Consider if simply "knew" suffices.

What's the difference between "knew already" and "just knew"?

"Knew already" implies prior awareness. "Just knew" suggests an intuitive or immediate understanding, without necessarily having prior information. The emphasis is on the timing and source of the knowledge.