know it worked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "know it worked" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing certainty or confidence that something was successful or effective. Example: "After testing the new software, I can confidently say that I know it worked as intended."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

And whaddya know, it worked.

The New York Times

And you know, it worked out pretty well.

The New Yorker

He gave a small, relieved smile, and said, "But you know, it worked out for us".

The New York Times - Sports

Eventually it turned into having a coach, and then it went to being at an academy," she said, adding shyly: "You know, it worked out pretty well".

The Guardian - Sport

In a Jim Borgman cartoon, Al Gore is pictured grabbing and passionately kissing George Bush as the debate moderator says, "I know it worked for you at the convention, Mr. Gore, but traditionally debates begin with a handshake".

The New York Times

Innumerable would-be activists have come to me over the years saying "I like what you teach, and I know it worked for Serbia, but revolution will never happen here".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

"I know it works," she said.

The New York Times

"If they really examined it, they would know it works".

The New York Times - Sports

We've done it before, so we know it works".

The New York Times - Sports

Wave your hand from left to rIght, at face level, while saying, "You will give me this job".

The New Yorker

We all know it works, especially with consumer campaigns.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "know it worked" to express confidence in the past success of a specific action or strategy. This phrase is best used when you have evidence or clear indicators that something was effective.

Common error

Avoid using "know it worked" when referring to ongoing or future situations. This phrase is specific to past completed actions. Instead, use "know it will work" or "know it is working" for future and present contexts, respectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "know it worked" functions as a declarative statement expressing certainty about the past success or effectiveness of something. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in various contexts, confirming its function in conveying confidence about a past event.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "know it worked" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express certainty about the past success or effectiveness of something. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and usability of this phrase. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various settings. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a completed action and avoid misusing tenses. Alternatives such as "knew it was effective" or "realized it succeeded" can be used to vary expression while retaining the core meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

knew it was effective

Changes verb tense from present to past and replaces "worked" with "was effective" for a more formal tone.

realized it succeeded

Substitutes "know" with "realized" and "worked" with "succeeded", implying a gradual understanding of success.

was aware it functioned well

Replaces "know" with "was aware" and "worked" with "functioned well", conveying a more technical or detached assessment.

understood it had the desired effect

Uses a more formal vocabulary to convey the same meaning, emphasizing the intended outcome.

saw that it achieved results

Focuses on the observable outcome, replacing "know" with "saw" and "worked" with "achieved results".

ascertained its effectiveness

Replaces simple terms with sophisticated equivalents for a distinctly formal register.

confirmed its successful operation

Provides a technical description of what occurred through precise wording.

verified it had been fruitful

Introduces a formal tone while retaining the sense of accomplishment and successful resolution.

determined it was operative

Focuses directly on functionality, replacing "know" with "determined" and "worked" with "was operative".

concluded that it delivered

Expresses certainty regarding previous work and emphasizes delivery on promises or anticipated achievements.

FAQs

How can I use "know it worked" in a sentence?

You can use "know it worked" to express confidence in the past success of something. For example, "After the changes, I "know it worked" because sales increased."

What can I say instead of "know it worked"?

Alternatives include "knew it was effective", "realized it succeeded", or "was aware it functioned well", depending on the specific context and desired formality.

Is it correct to say "know it works" instead of "know it worked"?

The correctness depends on the context. "Know it works" implies present or general effectiveness, while ""know it worked"" refers to a past, completed action.

What's the difference between "believe it worked" and "know it worked"?

"Believe it worked" suggests an opinion or assumption, whereas ""know it worked"" indicates certainty based on evidence or results.