knowing of

USAGE SUMMARY

"knowing of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English and is often used when offering a reminder about something you know about a person or a situation.
For example, "Adrian, knowing of your fondness for classical music, I thought you might be interested in this concert."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Knowing he loved you, knowing of your children.

Huffington Post

He denied even knowing of their existence.

The New York Times

But knowing of the danger doesn't always prevent it.

The New York Times - Books

In November its executives denied knowing of the interview.

The New York Times

Mr. Negroponte has denied knowing of such abuses.

The New York Times

The women have denied knowing of the threat.

The New York Times

Mr. Jackson has denied knowing of any illicit offers and any other wrongdoing.

The New York Times

Poggio saw the manuscript's significance at once, presumably knowing of Lucretius from Jerome and Ovid.

The New York Times

"And then there is the difference between knowing of someone and knowing everything about them".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

However, it is not clear that early Chinese writers themselves distinguish such contexts from "knowing-of".

SEP

The first two kinds of knowledge concern acquaintance or familiarity what we might call "knowing-of".

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "knowing of" to indicate prior awareness or knowledge, often setting context for a subsequent action or statement. For example, "Knowing of his expertise, I consulted him on the project."

Common error

Avoid using "knowing of" interchangeably with "knowing about". "Knowing of" suggests a general awareness, while "knowing about" implies more detailed knowledge. For example, "knowing of the author" versus "knowing about the author's life."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "knowing of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating awareness or familiarity. As Ludwig AI indicates, it sets a context based on prior knowledge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

19%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "knowing of" is a prepositional phrase indicating awareness or familiarity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It's most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts. The phrase serves to establish a shared understanding, and while similar to "knowing about", it implies a more general awareness rather than detailed knowledge. Mastering this distinction will enhance your writing precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being aware of

Emphasizes the state of being conscious or informed about something.

having knowledge of

Highlights the possession of information or understanding about something.

being cognizant of

A more formal way of saying "being aware of", often used in legal or official contexts.

having information about

Focuses on possessing specific details or data regarding something.

being informed about

Implies receiving or being given information about something.

being familiar with

Suggests a level of acquaintance or understanding gained through experience.

understanding

Focuses on comprehending the meaning or nature of something.

being apprised of

Indicates being formally notified or informed of something, typically in a professional setting.

having insight into

Suggests a deeper level of understanding or perception about something.

being conscious of

Highlights the state of being aware and attentive to something.

FAQs

How can I use "knowing of" in a sentence?

"Knowing of" is used to express awareness or familiarity with something. For instance, "Knowing of his talent, I wasn't surprised by his success."

What are some alternatives to "knowing of"?

You can use alternatives like "being aware of", "having knowledge of", or "being cognizant of depending on the context.

Which is correct: "knowing of" or "knowing about"?

Both phrases are correct, but they have different meanings. "Knowing of" implies a general awareness, while "knowing about" suggests more detailed knowledge. Choose the phrase that best fits the specific context.

What's the difference between "knowing of" and "understanding"?

"Knowing of" suggests awareness, while "understanding" implies comprehension. For instance, "knowing of the risks" means being aware they exist, but "understanding the risks" means comprehending their implications.