more or less know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more or less know" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a general understanding or familiarity with a subject, but not complete certainty or knowledge. Example: "I more or less know how to solve this problem, but I might need some help with the details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

We more or less know the story here.

The New York Times

"I more or less know I will kill myself, but not yet".

The Guardian - Film

Whereas in prison, you more or less know what's going to happen every day.

The Guardian

And that is not funny for us here, who more or less know what was going on.

The Guardian - Film

"After all the long experience you have had in this group, you more or less know what are the points of discussion, the points of decision," Domenicali said.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet we more or less know what is meant by them, and they are the terms used by publishers and booksellers.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

They skim lightly, knowingly, over acres of more-or-less known pop-cultural history, giving just enough detail for anyone not sufficiently up on the band.

Independent

Mr. Bush chose people whose opinions were more or less known, or at least could be assumed.

The New York Times

Barker admits he more or less knows what that feels like.

The New York Times - Magazine

I more or less knew what he was going to say next.

The New Yorker

The world more or less knows what it thinks of Hitler.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more or less know" to convey an understanding that is not precise or complete, but sufficient for the context. For example, "I more or less know the steps to bake a cake, but I might need to check the recipe for exact measurements."

Common error

Avoid using "more or less know" when you possess complete and accurate information. It's more appropriate to use stronger terms like "know" or "understand" when certainty is high.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more or less know" functions as a qualifier expressing an approximate or incomplete understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it suggests familiarity with a subject without complete certainty. This is seen in examples like "I more or less know how to solve this problem, but I might need some help with the details."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "more or less know" is a common and grammatically correct way to express an approximate or incomplete understanding. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, where conveying a general sense of awareness is often sufficient. While "more or less know" is widely accepted, consider using more precise language in formal writing if absolute certainty is required. Alternatives such as "generally know" or "have a rough idea" can provide subtle variations in meaning. When using this phrase, ensure you're not overstating your certainty and that the context warrants an expression of partial knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

roughly know

Indicates an approximate understanding, implying less precision than "more or less know".

generally know

Suggests a broad understanding without specific details, similar to "more or less know".

kind of know

A more informal way of expressing a partial or uncertain understanding.

have a general idea

Focuses on having an overall understanding rather than specific knowledge.

have a rough idea

Similar to "have a general idea" but emphasizes the lack of detail.

sort of know

Another informal way to indicate incomplete knowledge or understanding.

partially understand

Highlights the incomplete nature of the understanding.

have some familiarity

Emphasizes familiarity with the subject rather than deep knowledge.

have a working knowledge

Suggests sufficient knowledge to use or apply something practically.

possess a basic understanding

Highlights the foundational nature of the knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "more or less know" in a sentence?

Use "more or less know" to indicate a general understanding or familiarity, but not complete certainty. For example, "I "more or less know" how to fix the issue, but I might need to consult the manual".

What phrases are similar to "more or less know"?

Alternatives to "more or less know" include phrases like "generally know", "have a general idea", or "roughly know", each conveying a slightly different nuance of understanding.

Is it appropriate to use "more or less know" in formal writing?

While "more or less know" is acceptable, consider using more precise language in formal writing to avoid ambiguity. Depending on the context, phrases like "generally understand" or "have a working knowledge of" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "more or less know" and "know"?

"More or less know" indicates an approximate or incomplete understanding, whereas "know" implies a complete and accurate understanding of a subject.