my best knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "my best knowledge" is not correct in standard English; the correct expression is "to the best of my knowledge." You can use it when you want to indicate that you are sharing information based on what you know, acknowledging that there may be limitations to your knowledge.
Example: "To the best of my knowledge, the meeting is still scheduled for tomorrow."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

It was also quite confusing, because, to my best knowledge, I'm not actually Jewish.

Independent

To my best knowledge, it's the first time a non-human has announced announced and judged a poetry contest.

Stanford University

To my best knowledge, it is the only interview with the poet in an English-language publication.

Stanford University

To my best knowledge, however, in view of the complexity, the third method, that is, to resort to solve functional extremal problems remains completed both in theories and algorithms.

Applied Mathematics and Computation

I was, to my best knowledge, the last person to interview him at his flat in the City, in a Q&A published in The Georgia Review – not online, alas.

Stanford University

Mr. Bridge copies out a love letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne: "Thou only hast revealed me to myself; for without thy aid, my best knowledge of myself, would have been merely to know my own shadow — to watch it flickering on the wall, and mistake its fantasies for my own real actions".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Nevertheless, I'll do my best to share the knowledge I've gained with others.

Unicef

However, I have tried to answer to the best of my scant knowledge – plus a little guess work" (age 70).

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

To the best of my knowledge, my father never tried.

The New York Times - Magazine

But to the best of my knowledge, and to the best of the knowledge of all the people who have reviewed it, it's solid and very good".

Forbes

"Not to the best of my knowledge, not to the fullness of my recollection.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the correct phrase: "to the best of my knowledge". This shows attention to detail and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using the grammatically incorrect phrase "my best knowledge". Always include the preposition "to the best of" for proper usage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase is intended to qualify a statement, indicating that the information provided is accurate based on the speaker's current understanding, but acknowledging possible limitations. Ludwig indicates that "my best knowledge" is incorrect and suggests using "to the best of my knowledge" instead.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "my best knowledge" appears in some contexts, it's grammatically incorrect. The correct and widely accepted form is "to the best of my knowledge". This phrase serves to qualify a statement, indicating that the information is based on your current understanding, but acknowledging potential limitations. As Ludwig indicates, adhering to the proper form enhances credibility and clarity. Use alternatives like "as far as I know" or "to my understanding" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to the best of my understanding

Replaces "knowledge" with "understanding", emphasizing comprehension.

to the best of my recollection

Focuses on what can be remembered, rather than general knowledge.

as far as I am aware

Highlights personal awareness of a fact or situation.

as far as I know

A more concise way of expressing limited knowledge.

to my understanding

A shorter, slightly less formal version of "to the best of my understanding".

according to my knowledge

Emphasizes that the information is based on personal knowledge.

from my perspective

Shifts the focus to a personal viewpoint or opinion.

in my opinion

Indicates a belief or judgment based on personal assessment.

to my mind

Similar to "in my opinion", suggesting a personal thought.

if I'm not mistaken

Introduces a statement with a caveat about potential inaccuracy.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "my best knowledge"?

The correct and commonly accepted phrase is "to the best of my knowledge". Using "my best knowledge" without the preceding "to the best of" is grammatically incorrect.

When should I use "to the best of my knowledge"?

Use "to the best of my knowledge" when you want to express that you are providing information based on your current understanding, but acknowledge that your knowledge may be incomplete or potentially inaccurate. It implies a degree of uncertainty.

Are there alternatives to saying "to the best of my knowledge"?

Yes, alternatives include "as far as I know", "to my understanding", or "as far as I am aware". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "to the best of my knowledge" and "I know"?

"I know" implies certainty, while "to the best of my knowledge" acknowledges potential limitations in your understanding. The latter is more appropriate when you are not completely sure of the information's accuracy.