know something as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "know something as" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to indicate the name or identity by which something is recognized or referred to. Example: "I know him as a talented musician." Alternative expressions include "recognize something as" and "identify something as."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

You'd think we know something as basic as this, that you need an actor.

The New York Times

You might not think you need to know something as deep as relativity to answer such a question.

The New York Times - Science

It was like, when you know something as beautiful all your life and suddenly the whole world is looking at it and that gaze isn't necessarily a gaze of curiosity but something more negative, then you start to feel defensive about what you love.

The Guardian

Eleven is too young to know something as awful as that.

The New Yorker

Are questions reducible to something like a specific desire to know something, as Meinong thought (1910, §18), or are they ultimately irreducible?

SEP

Actually, we seem to grasp a thing first as a stone and then as a being in general, though in the natural order we can only know something as a stone because we have implicitly recognized it as a being.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Knowing something as simple as, "If I keep heading north on Burlington Road, I'll hit Highway 201," may be enough.

WikiHow

Nor can inference provide one with knowledge of an indeterminate reality, because in inference one always knows something as coming under a general rule.

Encyclopedia Britannica

All week, his mother looks at him as if she knows something, as if she suspects him, and maybe she's right to.

The New Yorker

I happen to know something about that, as do some on this committee.

The New Yorker

This is a story that I do know something about as I am one of the co-authors.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "know something as" when you want to convey familiarity with a subject or a generally accepted understanding of it. For instance, "I know him as a reliable friend" indicates a personal understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "know something as" when expressing a purely subjective belief without external validation. For example, instead of saying "I know this movie as the best ever", which is a personal opinion, use phrases like "I believe this movie is the best ever."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "know something as" functions as a linking phrase, connecting a subject with a descriptor or identifier. It denotes recognition, familiarity, or established understanding. As Ludwig shows, this phrase presents something as generally understood or accepted.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

21%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "know something as" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express recognition or understanding of something in a certain way. Ludwig's analysis indicates that this phrase functions as a connector, typically found in neutral registers and authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. The phrase is versatile, but remember it implies a generally accepted understanding rather than a purely personal opinion. As shown in the usage examples, "know something as" provides context by identifying something according to established characteristics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recognize something as

Emphasizes the act of identifying or acknowledging something in a particular manner.

identify something as

Focuses on the specific act of classifying or labeling something.

perceive something as

Highlights the way something is understood or interpreted.

regard something as

Indicates a particular opinion or judgment about something.

view something as

Stresses a specific perspective or outlook on something.

consider something to be

Implies a more formal or deliberate assessment of something's nature.

understand something as

Focuses on grasping the meaning or significance of something.

experience something as

Highlights the subjective feeling or sensation associated with something.

take something for

Suggests mistakenly believing something to be something else.

deem something as

Highlights an official or formal judgement or opinion.

FAQs

How can I use "know something as" in a sentence?

Use "know something as" to indicate how someone or something is generally perceived or recognized. Example: "She is "known as" a talented artist".

What phrases are similar to "know something as"?

Similar phrases include "recognize something as", "identify something as", or "perceive something as". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "know something as" and "consider something as"?

"Know something as" often implies a generally accepted fact or widespread recognition, while "consider something as" suggests a personal opinion or evaluation. For example, you might "know Paris as" the city of lights, but "consider" it as overrated.

When is it inappropriate to use "know something as"?

It is generally inappropriate to use "know something as" when expressing a completely subjective opinion that isn't widely shared. For example, avoid saying "I "know it as" the best song ever" unless that's the general consensus.