know

USAGE SUMMARY

The word know is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as an action word to describe someone understanding something or being aware of something (e.g. We know the truth), or as a noun to refer to a person's understanding or awareness (e.g. She has a lot of knowledge). For example: I know the answer to the question.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Let us know in the comments section below.

The New York Times

And he should know.

The New York Times

"East Coast is particularly sorry, too, for the inconvenience to its customers as a result on what we know is an already very busy travel day immediately following the Christmas break.

The Guardian - Business

But I do know this: you did not just attack me that night.

The Guardian

"We do not know if the Chibok girls can be rescued.

The Guardian

They'll never know what it means to have a private moment to themselves an unrecorded, unanalysed thought.

The Guardian

Let us know.

The New York Times

They just don't know it yet.

The New York Times

I know one place where for 200 years there were these trees, I painted them and then one day they were all chopped down.

The Guardian - Arts

And I know she wants it because we've been together for 20 years".

The Guardian - Music

All I know is that when I needed McDonald's, McDonald's was there for me.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "know" to express certainty about a fact, awareness of information, or familiarity with a person or thing. Ensure the context clarifies the specific type of knowledge you are conveying.

Common error

Avoid using "know" when you mean "no". "Know" means to understand or be aware of something, while "no" is a negation. For example, "I know the answer" is different from "No, I don't know".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "know" is as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object to complete its meaning. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates understanding, awareness, or familiarity. The provided examples illustrate its usage in various contexts to express knowledge or recognition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "know" is a versatile and very common verb used to express understanding, awareness, or familiarity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, its usage ranges from expressing simple knowledge to conveying deeper comprehension. When writing, avoid confusing "know" with its homophone "no", and ensure the correct tense is used. Consider alternatives like "be aware of", "understand", or "recognize" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understand

Highlights comprehension and grasping the meaning of something.

have knowledge of

Indicates possessing information or understanding about something.

be aware of

Focuses on the state of being conscious or informed about something.

realize

Highlights a sudden awareness or understanding.

recognize

Focuses on identifying something or someone previously encountered.

comprehend

Stresses the mental process of grasping something fully.

be cognizant of

Emphasizes a formal or intellectual awareness.

perceive

Emphasizes sensory or intuitive understanding.

appreciate

Implies a deep understanding and valuing of something.

discern

Focuses on distinguishing or differentiating something clearly.

FAQs

How do I use "know" in a sentence?

"Know" can be used in various ways, such as "I "know" the answer", "Do you "know" her?", or "They "know" how to fix it".

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

"Know" generally refers to being aware of facts or information, while "understand" implies a deeper comprehension of the meaning or reasons behind something. You might "know" that Paris is the capital of France, but you "understand" the historical reasons why.

What can I say instead of "I know"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "I'm "aware"", "I "understand"", "I'm "familiar"", or "I'm "cognizant"".

Which is correct, "I knowed" or "I knew"?

"I knew" is the correct past tense form of "know". "I knowed" is grammatically incorrect.