knowingly or unknowingly

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "knowingly or unknowingly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to suggest that an action, either intentionally or unintentionally, was taken. For example: He took her possessions without her permission, knowingly or unknowingly.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Were they all, knowingly or unknowingly, unorthodox — or even heretical?

The New York Times

"In my life I have never done a wrong thing knowingly or unknowingly.

The New York Times

"And I think that's what he did; knowingly or unknowingly, he sent a message.

The New York Times - Sports

We deal with questions that architects, knowingly or unknowingly, must always address: What is space?

The Guardian - Arts

"People make mistakes whether knowingly or unknowingly," he said, but warned that did not excuse illegal activity.

Independent

Some of this information is regularly and publicly repeated today by former C.I.A. officials, either knowingly or unknowingly.

The New Yorker

But such measures can't prevent a sick passenger from knowingly or unknowingly coming aboard and infecting others.

The New York Times

-How might the legislation affect ordinary citizens who are knowingly or unknowingly affiliated with organizations identified as terrorist groups?

The New York Times

The poker bots' arrival may be just another sign of an emerging world where humans, knowingly or unknowingly, encounter robots on an everyday basis.

The New York Times - Science

Thus we also work toward the questions that architects, knowingly or unknowingly, must always address: how does one design and build using emptiness as a construction material?

The New York Times

But if Nanex's theory is to be believed, computer algorithms might have been at work as well, knowingly or unknowingly wreaking havoc and creating data crop circles.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "knowingly or unknowingly" to indicate that the actor's state of mind is uncertain or irrelevant to the main point. This works well when the consequences are the focus, regardless of intent.

Common error

While versatile, "knowingly or unknowingly" can sometimes sound redundant in formal contexts. Consider replacing it with more precise language that specifies the degree of intent or awareness when possible to enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "knowingly or unknowingly" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates that an action or situation applies regardless of whether the actor was aware of their actions or the circumstances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

37%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "knowingly or unknowingly" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that an action or consequence applies regardless of the actor's awareness or intent. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Predominantly found in news and scientific contexts, the phrase serves to broaden the scope of responsibility or impact, making it clear that knowledge is not a limiting factor. While highly frequent, it's important to use it judiciously and consider more precise language when the degree of intent is significant. Alternatives such as "intentionally or unintentionally" may offer a more formal tone depending on the desired effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intentionally or unintentionally

Focuses directly on the presence or absence of intent behind an action.

consciously or unconsciously

Highlights the level of awareness involved in the action.

deliberately or inadvertently

Emphasizes whether the action was planned or happened by chance.

wittingly or unwittingly

Uses less common synonyms to convey the same distinction of awareness.

by design or by accident

Simplifies the concept, contrasting planned action with accidental occurrence.

on purpose or by chance

Offers a straightforward alternative, highlighting the element of intention.

with awareness or without awareness

Directly addresses the presence or absence of knowledge during the act.

whether aware or unaware

Frames the phrase as a condition regarding the actor's state of mind.

with or without conscious thought

Explores the cognitive process behind the action, or lack thereof.

voluntarily or involuntarily

Focuses on whether the action was a matter of choice or compulsion.

FAQs

How can I use "knowingly or unknowingly" in a sentence?

Use "knowingly or unknowingly" to express that an action's consequences apply whether the actor was aware or unaware. For instance, "They violated the agreement, "knowingly or unknowingly", and are now liable."

What phrases are similar to "knowingly or unknowingly"?

Alternatives include "intentionally or unintentionally", "consciously or unconsciously", and "deliberately or inadvertently". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey regarding intent and awareness.

Is it redundant to use "knowingly or unknowingly"?

While not strictly redundant, using "knowingly or unknowingly" can sometimes be seen as wordy. Evaluate whether specifying the level of awareness would add clarity or if the phrase simply serves to cover both possibilities without adding meaningful detail.

Which is more formal, "knowingly or unknowingly" or "intentionally or unintentionally"?

Intentionally or unintentionally is generally perceived as more formal and direct. "Knowingly or unknowingly" is suitable for broader contexts where the precise intent is less critical than the outcome.