known good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "known good" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in technical contexts to refer to something that has been tested and verified to be functioning properly. Example: "We will use the known good configuration to troubleshoot the system issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I've known good horses, maybe some as good as her.

Independent

Great Ormond Street's charity is among the country's best known good causes, and with good reason.

Independent

Zetia, he said, lowers bad cholesterol and lowering bad cholesterol is a known good.

The New York Times

Without it, I am told, man could not have existed on earth, for he could not have known good and evil.

The New York Times

"The lesson is, if you want to be a criminal, do your homework … I've known good criminals and bad cops, bad priests and honourable thieves.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Many physicians believe, based on previous studies of different cholesterol drugs, that lowering bad cholesterol is a known good that should lead to a reduced risk of heart problems.

The New York Times

Ascorbic acid is well known good antioxidant [36] and exhibited high activity reached 99.1%.

Chemistry Central Journal

All of these repositories are being "reset back to a known good state".

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Quick said the things that affect wellbeing are well known: good-quality housing and environment, stable jobs, and functioning communities.

The Guardian

But even as his health has declined, his well-known good humor has remained undiminished, several people said.

The New York Times

Here are her well-known good and bad angels (the bad ones dressed in red gowns) with their characteristic upward-pointing hair, and one of my own all-time favorites, a huge chicken pulling a cart.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When documenting technical procedures, clearly define what constitutes a "known good" state or component to avoid ambiguity and ensure consistent troubleshooting.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "known good" without actually verifying the component or configuration. Always test to confirm its functionality before relying on it for troubleshooting or system setup.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "known good" primarily functions as a compound adjective, modifying a noun to indicate that the noun has been verified to be in a functional or reliable state. Ludwig AI validates this usage through numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

34%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "known good" is a compound adjective commonly used in technical fields to describe something that has been tested and confirmed to be functional. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently used across diverse sources like Science, News & Media, and Wiki. While alternatives such as "verified working" or "proven reliable" exist, "known good" remains a direct and widely understood way to express reliability and functionality. When using this phrase, ensure you verify the component's condition to avoid misleading assumptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

verified working

Focuses on the active confirmation of functionality, rather than a passive state of being good.

proven reliable

Emphasizes the reliability aspect through past performance.

tested and approved

Highlights the formal evaluation and subsequent endorsement of something.

validated and functional

Similar to "verified working" but with a stronger emphasis on the formal validation process.

known to be effective

Shifts the focus to the demonstrated effectiveness of something.

confirmed operational

Specifically emphasizes that something is functioning as expected.

established as sound

Highlights the established and solid nature of the quality.

demonstrated integrity

Focuses on the integrity and reliability shown over time.

certified satisfactory

Implies a formal certification process ensuring satisfaction.

reliable baseline

Emphasizes that something is a point of reference for future operations.

FAQs

How can I use "known good" in a sentence?

"Known good" is typically used to describe a component, configuration, or state that has been verified to be working correctly. For example, "We reverted to the last "known good configuration" to resolve the software issue."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "known good"?

Alternatives to "known good" include "verified working", "proven reliable", and "tested and approved". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "known good" in formal writing?

While "known good" is commonly used in technical contexts, it may be considered informal in some formal writing. Consider using alternatives like "verified working" or "validated and functional" for a more professional tone.

What does "last known good configuration" mean?

The "last "known good configuration"" refers to the most recent system settings that were confirmed to be working properly. Restoring to this configuration can help resolve system errors or crashes.