knowing full well

USAGE SUMMARY

"knowing full well" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It implies that the speaker has a thorough understanding of a situation or of the consequences of an action. For example, you could use "knowing full well" in a sentence like this: "She signed the contract, knowing full well that she wouldn't have any recourse to dispute it later."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

I said 'Do I know you?' knowing full well that I had never seen her before".

Huffington Post

"Remind me," he says, knowing full well who I am.

The New Yorker

As he writes in "Autobiography," knowing full well it's the pull quote, "I am impossible".

The New Yorker

I deferred to my doctor, knowing full well what that meant.

The New York Times

"A new beginning," he said, knowing full well that the Knicks will lean on his experience.

The New York Times - Sports

Ellena promised the women that he wouldn't, knowing full well that he would.

The New Yorker

Philip gives him power, knowing full well that it will make him proud and vain".

The New York Times

They attempted to take advantage of it knowing full well there would be consequences.

The New York Times

Mr. Patil had burned them, knowing full well that Muslims, unlike Hindus, bury their dead.

The New York Times

I'll read it like another story, knowing full well it's promotional material.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Meaning, they sent you an invitation knowing full-well that you wouldn't actually attend.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "knowing full well" to emphasize a deliberate action or decision made with complete awareness of the potential consequences.

Common error

While "knowing full well" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "fully aware" or "perfectly aware" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "knowing full well" functions as an adverbial modifier, adding emphasis to the verb it modifies. It indicates that an action is performed with complete awareness and understanding of the circumstances or potential consequences. As evidenced by Ludwig, the expression provides a lens through which to evaluate the subsequent action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "knowing full well" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize complete awareness and understanding when someone takes an action. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and media, formal business contexts, and even on wikis. To avoid repetition, consider using synonyms like "fully aware" or "with full knowledge". When using the expression, make sure to stress that it is applied to a person who is completely aware of the implications of their actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fully aware

Replaces the verb "knowing" with the adjective "aware", simplifying the structure.

perfectly aware

Adds emphasis to the awareness, similar to "full well".

fully conscious

Substitutes "aware" with "conscious", highlighting the mental state.

completely cognizant

Uses a more formal synonym for "aware", changing the register.

with full knowledge

Transforms the phrase into a prepositional phrase, altering the sentence structure.

being fully informed

Emphasizes the state of having received all necessary information.

in full awareness

Rephrases as a prepositional phrase emphasizing the state of awareness.

having complete insight

Focuses on the depth of understanding, suggesting a more profound knowledge.

understanding completely

Uses a verb phrase to express a thorough comprehension.

thoroughly understanding

Highlights the depth and completeness of the understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "knowing full well" in a sentence?

You can use "knowing full well" to indicate that someone is completely aware of the implications of their actions. For example, "He accepted the promotion, knowing full well the increased responsibilities it entailed."

What are some alternatives to "knowing full well"?

Alternatives include "fully aware", "perfectly aware", or "with full knowledge". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it better to say "knowing full well" or "knowing very well"?

"Knowing full well" emphasizes a complete and certain understanding, often with a sense of inevitability or consequence. "Knowing very well" simply indicates a high degree of knowledge. The appropriate choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "knowing full well" and "realizing full well"?

"Knowing full well" implies prior knowledge, whereas "realizing full well" suggests a moment of sudden comprehension. Although often interchangeable, "realizing full well" highlights the process of becoming aware.