more well known

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'more well known' is not a correct and usable phrase in written English.
The correct phrase is 'more widely known'. For example, "The actor is now more widely known for his action films."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

I wish she were more well known.

The New York Times - Arts

Twitter definitely made me more well known.

The Guardian - Tech

It depends whoever I thought was more well known.

The Guardian - Books

The candidates will make their positions more well known as the election draws nearer.

The New York Times

They were dinosaurs rather than pterosaurs, the more well known flying prehistoric reptiles.

The Guardian

The anti-war movement, as usual, has more well known groups trying to take the credit.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The more well-known is Idiocracy, directed by Mike Judge of Office Space fame.

Vice

P.H.: Because celebrities are more well-known.

The New Yorker

Her jump to television is a more well-known story, but it's always fun to hear.

The New Yorker

Meanwhile, it bolsters the more well-known prestige selections with lesser-known brands like Yohji Yamamoto.

The New York Times

It was in this room that Ollin painted some of her more well-known self-portraits.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for the grammatically sound alternative, "more widely known", to ensure clarity and credibility in your writing.

Common error

While "more well known" appears frequently, it's grammatically incorrect. Using the grammatically sound alternative, like "more widely known", improves your writing's professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more well known" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, aiming to indicate a higher degree of familiarity or recognition. However, Ludwig AI highlights its grammatical incorrectness, suggesting "more widely known" as a more appropriate alternative.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "more well known" is used quite frequently across varied sources, it is grammatically incorrect and not considered standard English. As Ludwig AI specifies, the accurate and preferred alternative is "more widely known". Even though "more well known" appears in news articles, wikis, and scientific publications, using "more widely known" or "better known" increases the clarity and professionalism of your writing. It's important to prioritize grammatical accuracy, especially in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

better known

Focuses on the comparative aspect of being known by a larger audience, omitting 'well'.

more widely known

Replaces "well" with "widely" to provide a grammatically correct and more commonly accepted alternative.

more famous

Substitutes "well known" with "famous", emphasizing widespread recognition or popularity.

more recognized

Changes the phrase to highlight the act of being identified or acknowledged more frequently.

more prominent

Emphasizes a higher level of importance or visibility.

more established

Highlights the attribute of being more firmly recognized or accepted.

better established

Similar to "more established" but uses "better" for comparison.

more popular

Focuses on increased favor or liking among people.

more reputable

Highlights enhanced respect or good reputation.

increasingly known

Shifts focus to the process of becoming known over time, rather than comparative state.

FAQs

What's a grammatically correct alternative to "more well known"?

A grammatically correct and widely accepted alternative is "more widely known". This phrase uses "widely" instead of "well" to modify "known", creating a more standard English construction.

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

Example: "The author became "more widely known" after the publication of her best-selling novel."

Is it ever correct to use "more well known"?

While you might encounter "more well known" in some informal contexts, it's generally advisable to use "more widely known" to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity.

What's the difference between "more well known" and "more famous"?

While both phrases imply increased recognition, "more famous" suggests a higher degree of celebrity or renown, whereas "more well known", though grammatically questionable, simply suggests greater familiarity.