know beforehand

USAGE SUMMARY

"know beforehand" is a perfectly valid use of English in both spoken and written English.
It is an idiomatic expression meaning to have knowledge of something prior to its occurrence. For example, "I knew the answer beforehand so I wasn't worried about the test".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But you don't know beforehand.

The Guardian - Books

Sorry, but she needed to know beforehand.

The New York Times

And you don't always know beforehand which will work, or how.

The New Yorker

She'd know beforehand and be in the woods down the road.

The New Yorker

People should know beforehand who is going to come and who is going to play.

The Guardian - Sport

If someone did race with a TUE everybody would know beforehand," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

We will never know beforehand when something happens," said the colour sergeant.

The Guardian

It's the first thing they want to see, even if they know beforehand they can't afford it".

The New York Times

Because Sunday's game is at night, the Ravens will know beforehand if the game will have playoff implications.

The New York Times - Sports

What, specifically, should he or she be expected to know beforehand about local culture, customs, history, and values?

The New York Times

Of course it is: how should the average consumer be expected to know beforehand what care is frivolous and what care is useful?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "know beforehand" to clearly indicate that information or awareness is acquired prior to an event or action. This helps in setting expectations and preparing for future scenarios.

Common error

Avoid using "know beforehand" when referring to simultaneous or subsequent knowledge. This phrase specifically refers to knowledge acquired before an event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "know beforehand" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the timing of knowledge acquisition. As evidenced by Ludwig, the phrase is used to express that information is obtained or should be obtained prior to an event or action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

37%

Wiki

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "know beforehand" is a versatile and frequently used adverbial phrase that emphasizes the importance of having prior knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, including news, science, and general knowledge domains. While applicable in both formal and informal settings, it's crucial to use the phrase accurately, ensuring that it truly reflects knowledge obtained before an event. By understanding its meaning and appropriate contexts, you can effectively communicate the value of anticipation and preparation in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be aware in advance

Emphasizes prior awareness, highlighting the condition of being informed ahead of time.

have prior knowledge

Focuses on possessing information before an event, emphasizing the state of knowing.

anticipate

Stresses the act of predicting or expecting something before it happens.

foresee

Highlights the ability to see or predict a future event, suggesting foresight.

expect in advance

Combines expectation with the element of timing, implying a planned anticipation.

be forewarned

Implies a warning received in advance, suggesting preparation for something potentially negative.

have advance notice

Focuses on receiving notification ahead of time, emphasizing the receipt of information.

learn in advance

Highlights the action of gaining knowledge before something occurs, focusing on the learning process.

ascertain beforehand

Suggests the act of finding something out for certain ahead of time, emphasizing verification.

determine in advance

Emphasizes the process of deciding or establishing something before an event, highlighting decision-making.

FAQs

How can I use "know beforehand" in a sentence?

You can use "know beforehand" to indicate that someone has prior knowledge of something. For example, "It's important to "know beforehand" what the requirements are before starting the project."

What's a similar phrase to "know beforehand"?

Alternatives to "know beforehand" include "be aware in advance", "have prior knowledge", or "anticipate" depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "know in advance beforehand"?

Yes, saying "know in advance beforehand" is redundant because "beforehand" already implies that the knowledge is acquired in advance. It's best to stick with either "know in advance" or "know beforehand".

What does "know beforehand" imply about the knowledge?

"Know beforehand" implies that the knowledge was obtained or available before the event or situation occurred, allowing for preparation or informed decision-making. It suggests proactive awareness rather than reactive discovery.