more than known

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more than known" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to express that something exceeds what is already known, but it is not a common expression. Example: "The implications of the discovery are more than known to the public."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A school in the middle of nowhere, 200 miles west of the state capital of Raleigh, outside Asheville, with a semester enrollment that barely reached 100 during its 24-year existence, Black Mountain is one of those places that is known about more than known.

Los Angeles Times

We identified 13 groups of bZIP homologues in angiosperms, three more than known before, that represent 34 Possible Groups of Orthologues (PoGOs).

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I'm sure there's been a lot more than knew they had it".

The New York Times - Sports

But there are probably more unknown than known.

The Guardian

Our results are more general than known results.

Advances in Difference Equations

You Know Far More Than You Know You Know!

HuffPost

"He knew more than I knew.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Every judge says that to me: 'Pretend you know more than you know,' " Justice Pfau said.

The New York Times

Listen, and in the end we will know more than we know now".

Independent

Do we know more than we knew in the mid-twentieth century?

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

Never be scared to know more than you know.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more than known", consider whether a more common and clearer phrase like "beyond current knowledge" or "exceeding what is known" might be more effective for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "more than known" in highly formal or academic writing, as it can sound slightly awkward. Opt for more established alternatives such as "beyond current understanding" or "exceeds current knowledge".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more than known" functions as a comparative, indicating that something exceeds the current state of knowledge. Ludwig suggests that it may sound awkward, suggesting more direct comparative phrasing may be better. In the provided examples, the phrase modifies nouns, highlighting a difference between perception and reality.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "more than known" is an acceptable, though not particularly common, construction used to indicate that something exceeds current knowledge or understanding. Ludwig suggests it may not be the most elegant choice in all contexts and suggests better alternative phrasing. Ludwig's analysis reveals that it appears more frequently in news and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, consider whether a more standard alternative would improve clarity and impact for your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beyond current knowledge

Focuses on exceeding the scope of existing information.

exceeding what is known

Highlights the act of surpassing the boundaries of current understanding.

greater than acknowledged

Emphasizes that the reality is larger or more significant than what is publicly or officially admitted.

more extensive than realized

Suggests a larger scope than initially understood.

underestimated in scope

Highlights that something is larger, more impactful, or more widespread than previously thought.

larger than appreciated

Stresses that something's true size or effect is not fully valued or understood.

more significant than understood

Implies a deeper level of importance that has not been fully grasped.

more profound than recognized

Indicates a depth or impact that goes beyond what is generally noticed.

more widespread than reported

Highlights a broader reach or occurrence than has been communicated.

more prevalent than believed

Suggests a higher frequency or commonality than is commonly accepted.

FAQs

What does "more than known" mean?

The phrase "more than known" suggests that the actual amount, extent, or impact of something is greater than what is currently acknowledged or understood. It implies that there is a gap between what is known and what is the reality.

What can I say instead of "more than known"?

You can use alternatives like "beyond current knowledge", "exceeding what is known", or "greater than acknowledged depending on the context.

Is "more than known" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, "more than known" is less common than other similar phrases. It's generally acceptable but may sound awkward in very formal writing.

How can I use "more than known" in a sentence?

You might say, "The risks involved are "more than known" to the public", meaning the actual risks are higher than people realize. Consider alternative phrasing for clarity.