knew nothing about

USAGE SUMMARY

"knew nothing about" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is uneducated or unaware of a particular subject. For example: "He knew nothing about economics, so he took a class to learn the basics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

They knew nothing about right and wrong.

Los Angeles Times

I knew nothing about them.

The New Yorker

Ryan knew nothing about it.

The New York Times - Sports

I knew nothing about it.

The New York Times

She knew nothing about film.

The Economist

I knew nothing about physics.

The New Yorker

We knew nothing about art.

The New York Times

He knew nothing about that.

The New Yorker

"I knew nothing about farming.

The New York Times

"We knew nothing about diabetes.

The New York Times - Style

"We knew nothing about retail.

The Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "knew nothing about" to clearly state a lack of knowledge or experience regarding a specific topic. This phrase is versatile and suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "knew nothing about" when you mean to convey a partial lack of knowledge. It implies complete ignorance, so ensure it accurately reflects the extent of the lack of understanding. Instead you may use the expression "knew little about".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "knew nothing about" functions as a verb phrase indicating a complete lack of knowledge or understanding regarding a specific subject or topic. It expresses a state of being uninformed, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "knew nothing about" is a very common and grammatically sound phrase used to express a complete absence of knowledge or understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports to personal anecdotes. While versatile, it's important to use it accurately, ensuring it reflects a total lack of awareness, not just a partial one. Consider alternatives like "was unaware of" or "had no knowledge of" for nuanced expression. By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively incorporate "knew nothing about" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had no knowledge of

Substitutes "knew nothing" with "had no knowledge", a more formal alternative.

was completely unaware of

Replaces "knew nothing" with "was completely unaware", emphasizing a total lack of awareness.

was uninformed about

A more direct and neutral way of saying someone lacked information.

had no clue about

Uses the more informal "had no clue" instead of "knew nothing", indicating a complete lack of understanding.

lacked any understanding of

Highlights the absence of comprehension regarding a particular subject.

was ignorant of

Replaces the entire phrase with "was ignorant of", suggesting a lack of information or understanding.

was in the dark about

Implies a state of being uninformed or unaware of something.

was oblivious to

Emphasizes a lack of awareness, often implying a failure to notice something important.

didn't have the faintest idea about

Similar to 'had no clue', but emphasizes the lack of even a minimal understanding.

had no inkling of

Indicates a complete lack of even a slight idea or suspicion.

FAQs

What does "knew nothing about" mean?

It means to have absolutely no knowledge or understanding of a particular subject or situation.

Is "knew nothing about" formal or informal?

It's generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

What can I say instead of "knew nothing about"?

You can use alternatives such as "was completely unaware of", "had no knowledge of", or "was ignorant of" depending on the context.

How do I use "knew nothing about" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe someone's lack of expertise or understanding. For example, "She knew nothing about cars before she started working at the dealership."