knowing fully well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "knowing fully well" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that someone is aware of the full implications of a situation. For example, "Mary decided to take the test, knowing fully well that passing wasn't a guarantee of making the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

We also believe Arm gave this guidance probably knowing fully well that Intel had won a tablet socket at Samsung.

The Guardian - Business

In the end, every year, we take God knows how many hundreds of thousands of little 5- and 6- year-olds and we put them into totally dysfunctional urban districts, knowing fully well that kids' chances of graduating are less than 50 percent.

The New York Times

Some fictionalists hold that we happily say things like "the sun rises" and "that car is moving too quickly" despite knowing fully well that neither sentence is literally true in the relevant contexts of utterance.

SEP

Public lands will once again be for public use," said Trump with a straight face, knowing fully well that his decision will open up these lands to mining and fossil fuel exploitations.

Huffington Post

"Sure," I responded tersely, knowing fully well that my mother was just trying to find my grandfather a distraction so that he would stop motioning for more food every few minutes, having forgotten that he already ate.

Huffington Post

Until Dawn delivers on preconceptions while simultaneously subverting them with mirthful relish, knowing fully well how fear and fun are most powerfully felt when alternated, scattering surprisingly effective jump scares across its opening couple of hours as it gently nudges up the tension without the player realising how invested they've become.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "knowing fully well" to add emphasis when you want to highlight that someone is not ignorant of the consequences or implications of their actions.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "knowing fully well" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "knowing" or "being aware" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "knowing fully well" functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb or clause, providing additional information about the circumstances or the actor's state of mind, emphasizing the degree of awareness. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "knowing fully well" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase that emphasizes complete awareness of the implications of an action or situation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While found across varied contexts, it is most prevalent in news and media, and science. When using the phrase, be aware of its relatively formal tone; simpler alternatives may be more appropriate in casual settings. The phrase serves to highlight the actor's clear understanding and intention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fully aware

More direct and emphasizes the state of awareness.

completely aware

Emphasizes the completeness of knowledge.

with full knowledge

Highlights the extent of information possessed.

well aware

Similar in meaning, but perhaps slightly less emphatic.

perfectly aware

Highlights that awareness as a flawless state.

having full knowledge

Emphasizes possession of complete information.

conscious of

Highlights awareness as a state of mind.

cognizant of

A more formal synonym emphasizing awareness.

mindful of

Implies attentiveness and consideration.

under no illusion

Indicates a clear understanding without self-deception.

FAQs

What does "knowing fully well" mean?

The phrase "knowing fully well" means being completely aware of something, especially the potential consequences or implications of a situation or action. It emphasizes that someone is not ignorant of the facts.

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

You can use "knowing fully well" to emphasize someone's awareness. For example: "She took the job, "knowing fully well" it would require long hours".

What are some alternatives to "knowing fully well"?

Alternatives include "fully aware", "completely aware", or "conscious of", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "knowing fully well" more formal than "knowing"?

Yes, "knowing fully well" tends to be more formal and emphatic than simply "knowing". It highlights a deeper, more complete understanding.