knows of which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "knows of which" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not a commonly used expression and may confuse readers. A more appropriate phrase would be "knows which." Example: "She knows which options are available for the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

An artist and a former fashion designer, Lang knows of which he speaks.

The New York Times

The earliest of Landis's gifts that Leininger knows of, which was actually his third, was made in 1987, to the New Orleans Museum of Art.

The New Yorker

US playwright Theresa Rebeck – a Pulitzer prize nominee whose play The Water's Edge was staged at the Arcola five years ago – clearly knows of which she writes.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

About 20 species of Trypanosoma are known, of which only two T.

Encyclopedia Britannica

About 1,700 nuclides are known, of which about 300 are stable and the rest radioactive.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yukon also has a number of scenic alpine lakes, best known of which are Kluane and Aishihik in the St . Elias Mountains

Encyclopedia Britannica

There are many examples of budding among coelenterates, the best known of which occurs in freshwater Hydra.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Over 60 versions are known, of which half are considered to be from the painter's own hand.

The New York Times - Arts

The Senator wrote 3 dreadful books about Alexander Hamilton, the best known of which is "The Greatest American, Alexander Hamilton".

The New Yorker

Nonstick frying pans have been coated with a fluorocarbon resin, the best known of which is polytetrafluoroethylene.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It won't be pretty, warned Barry Fry beforehand, and for once the big man knew of which he spake.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer "knows which" over "knows of which" for grammatical correctness and clarity. It is more direct and widely accepted in standard English.

Common error

Avoid adding unnecessary prepositions like "of" when "knows which" conveys the intended meaning more effectively. Simpler is often better for clear communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "knows of which" is intended to indicate knowledge or awareness regarding a specific item or piece of information. However, its non-standard usage often undermines its effectiveness. Ludwig AI identifies it as not correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "knows of which" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and is rarely used in contemporary English. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment, suggesting that it is not correct in standard written English. While the intention is to convey knowledge or awareness, it's best to use more direct and grammatically accepted alternatives like "knows which" or "is aware of". Using clearer phrasing will improve communication and avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

knows which

Omitting 'of' creates a grammatically sound phrase with the same core meaning.

is aware of which

Replaces "knows" with "is aware", slightly changing the emphasis while retaining similar meaning.

understands which

Substitutes "knows" with "understands", implying a deeper level of comprehension.

is cognizant of which

Uses "cognizant" for a more formal tone, indicating knowledge or awareness.

is informed about which

Emphasizes receiving information rather than inherent knowledge.

has knowledge of which

Rephrases "knows" as "has knowledge", providing a more descriptive alternative.

is familiar with which

Implies acquaintance or experience, suggesting a different context for knowing.

is conscious of which

Focuses on being consciously aware or mindful.

is apprised of which

Uses a more formal and less common term than "knows", meaning to be informed.

possesses information about which

Highlights the act of having data or facts.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "knows of which"?

The correct and more common way to express this is to simply say "knows which". The inclusion of "of" is grammatically incorrect in most contexts.

Is "knows of which" grammatically correct?

No, "knows of which" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in modern English. A better alternative would be "knows which".

When can I use "knows of which"?

While technically incorrect in most standard English contexts, you might encounter "knows of which" in older texts. However, in modern writing, it is best to use "knows which".

What are some alternatives to "knows of which"?

Some alternatives include "is aware of", "understands which", or the simpler "knows which".