knows beforehand

USAGE SUMMARY

"knows beforehand" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase is typically used to indicate that someone has prior knowledge or awareness of something before it happens. Example: The weather forecast says it will rain tomorrow, but John knows beforehand because he saw dark clouds forming in the sky.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

STD is called when the audio is processed before knowing the terms to search, and KWS knows beforehand the terms to search.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

The contractor, he added, knows beforehand that the guts beneath the walls are not as simple as they seem.

The New York Times

No one knows beforehand what makes a high-performing financial adviser different from a low-performing one, so the field throws the door wide open.

The New Yorker

It favors neither candidate, provided no partisan ringers are allowed and the moderator knows beforehand generally what to expect from audience participants.

The New York Times

If God knows beforehand what I shall do then how can I be free not to do it?

SEP

The gold standard of each website is obtained by creating a website-specific lyrics extractor which knows beforehand the special delimiter tags used in each website.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

But you don't know beforehand.

The Guardian - Books

The results are always known beforehand".

The New York Times

Sorry, but she needed to know beforehand.

The New York Times

And you don't always know beforehand which will work, or how.

The New Yorker

She'd know beforehand and be in the woods down the road.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "knows beforehand" when emphasizing the advantage or preparation gained from having prior knowledge. For instance, "The team knows beforehand the opponent's strategy, giving them a significant edge."

Common error

Avoid using "knows before" in place of "knows beforehand". The latter emphasizes anticipation and preparedness, while the former simply indicates knowledge acquired at some earlier time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "knows beforehand" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the subject possesses prior knowledge of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, exemplified by its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "knows beforehand" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that indicates prior knowledge or anticipation of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's found in various contexts, predominantly in science and news media, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal use. While not exceedingly common, it effectively conveys the idea of having advance awareness, which provides a subtle yet valuable nuance in communication. Remember to use "knows beforehand" when you want to emphasize the advantage or preparation resulting from having prior knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has prior knowledge

Focuses on possessing knowledge before an event, rather than the act of knowing.

is aware in advance

Highlights awareness and the element of time before something happens.

anticipates

Implies expecting or predicting something will happen.

predicts with certainty

Emphasizes the act of foretelling with a high degree of confidence.

foresees

Suggests a deeper insight or vision into the future.

has foreknowledge

Highlights having prior knowledge, often in a formal or literary context.

is pre-informed

Focuses on the state of being informed before an event.

understands in advance

Implies a comprehension or grasp of something before it occurs.

expects beforehand

Suggests anticipation based on previous experiences or logical reasoning.

is pre-acquainted

Focuses on familiarity or acquaintance with something before encountering it.

FAQs

How can I use "knows beforehand" in a sentence?

You can use "knows beforehand" to indicate that someone has prior knowledge of something. For example, "The experienced investor knows beforehand the risks involved in the stock market."

What are some alternatives to "knows beforehand"?

Some alternatives to "knows beforehand" include "has prior knowledge", "is aware in advance", or "anticipates", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "knows beforehand" or "knows in advance"?

Both "knows beforehand" and "knows in advance" are correct, but "knows beforehand" often implies a proactive understanding or anticipation, while "knows in advance" is more general. Choose the phrase that best fits the context.

What's the difference between "knows beforehand" and "finds out beforehand"?

"Knows beforehand" implies that the information was already known, while "finds out beforehand" suggests that effort was made to discover the information in advance.