knowing full well that

USAGE SUMMARY

"knowing full well that" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is generally used to indicate that someone is aware that something is true before taking action. For example: "She smiled knowingly, knowing full well that everyone in the room was aware of her secret."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

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

Huffington Post

"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

Mr. Abdullah nodded, knowing full well that the "guy" was President Hosni Mubarak.

The New York Times

"Pig knuckles and sauerkraut," Eisenhower quickly replied, knowing full well that he had violated the rules.

The New York Times - Health

She gets this for him, knowing full well that he may not even look at it.

Harvard Business Review

I do it knowing full well that it generates hatred, isolation, contempt.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

I've heard activists playfully call each other that, knowing full-well that the accusations are absurd.

Forbes

Is this not comparable, Bayle asks, to supplying a criminal with a knife knowing full-well that he will commit murder with it?

SEP

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 that" to emphasize that someone is not only aware of a fact, but also understands its implications when making a decision or taking an action. For example, "He invested in the company, knowing full well that it was a risky venture."

Common error

Avoid using "knowing full well that" when simple awareness is sufficient. This phrase implies a deep understanding of potential consequences, so ensure the context warrants this level of emphasis. If the person simply knew something without necessarily understanding the ramifications, a simpler phrase like "knowing that" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "knowing full well that" functions as a conjunction, connecting a clause expressing awareness or understanding to another clause describing the action or consequence. It serves to emphasize the actor's complete and informed consent or understanding of the implications. Ludwig AI examples showcase the wide applicability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "knowing full well that" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to emphasize that someone is completely aware of the potential consequences of their actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase sees frequent usage in various contexts, especially in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Wiki sources. It conveys a deeper understanding than simply "knowing that", implying a deliberate choice made with complete awareness. When writing, remember that this expression is appropriate when you want to stress the actor's full comprehension of the situation and the implications of their actions. Be mindful of the degree of emphasis and avoid overusing it in situations where simple awareness is sufficient.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fully aware that

This alternative is more concise, omitting "knowing" and "well" for brevity.

well aware that

Omits "knowing" for a slightly more direct tone while retaining the emphasis on awareness.

conscious of the fact that

This phrase is more formal, replacing "knowing full well" with a more elaborate expression.

cognizant that

This is a more formal and sophisticated alternative using the word "cognizant."

perfectly conscious that

This option emphasizes the clarity and precision of one's awareness.

mindful of the fact that

Similar to "conscious of", this option emphasizes being aware and attentive to the situation.

having complete awareness that

Replaces "knowing full well" with an intensified expression of awareness.

with the understanding that

This alternative highlights an agreement or implicit condition.

being fully cognizant that

Combines 'being' to convey a state of awareness, slightly amplifying the formality.

in the knowledge that

Uses "knowledge" to underline the confirmed understanding aspect.

FAQs

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

Use "knowing full well that" to emphasize that someone is completely aware of the potential consequences of their actions. For example, "She accepted the promotion, knowing full well that it would require longer hours".

What are some alternatives to "knowing full well that"?

You can use alternatives like "fully aware that", "conscious of the fact that", or "cognizant that" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "knowing full well that"?

While "knowing" and "full well" both imply awareness, using them together amplifies the emphasis on the depth and completeness of that awareness. The phrase is used for rhetorical effect when you need to stress that someone was undeniably aware of the implications.

What's the difference between "knowing that" and "knowing full well that"?

"Knowing that" simply indicates awareness of a fact. "Knowing full well that" implies a deeper understanding of the implications and consequences of that fact, suggesting a deliberate choice made with complete awareness. Compare: "He went outside, knowing that it was raining" versus "He went outside, knowing full well that he would get soaked".