not knowing that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'not knowing that' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that someone was unaware of a certain fact. For example: He walked into the exam room, not knowing that he had forgotten to bring his pencil.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And it's the not knowing that makes it interesting.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I will go to my grave not knowing that," Haass said.

The New Yorker

"It's the not knowing that is more painful than knowing," says Andrea.

The Guardian

(In which he also candidly admits to initially not knowing that Virginia Stephen was Virginia Woolf).

The Guardian - Books

"Not knowing that world, it's easy to get caught out," he says.

The Guardian - Film

Did Clemens lie about not knowing that Mitchell was trying to meet with him?

The New York Times - Sports

I don't want him to ever remember not knowing that information.

The Guardian

But can we forgive him not knowing that Sarah Jessica Parker quaffs Cosmopolitans in Manhattan?

The New York Times

They accuse with fear in their hearts and ambition in their minds not knowing that good never comes of evil".

The New Yorker

"If it isn't good, then we'll look to transfer," she said, not knowing that process was even more complicated.

The New York Times

It's the things we're unaware of not knowing that can really cause trouble.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not knowing that" to add a layer of dramatic irony or foreshadowing to your writing, indicating that a character or subject is unaware of crucial information that the audience knows.

Common error

Avoid using "not knowing that" when the lack of knowledge is a deliberate choice or a result of negligence. The phrase implies a genuine absence of awareness, not a willful avoidance of information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not knowing that" functions as a subordinating conjunction, introducing a clause that provides context or background information about a situation. It indicates a state of unawareness or lack of knowledge on the part of the subject. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not knowing that" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a clause indicating a lack of awareness, often creating dramatic irony or emphasizing consequences. It is grammatically correct and common across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is perfectly correct. While suitable for both formal and informal writing, it is most frequently found in narrative and descriptive contexts. When writing, make sure that you are expressing genuine ignorance rather than willful negligence when using "not knowing that". The many Ludwig examples reflect its consistent use across diverse domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unaware that

Emphasizes a general lack of awareness.

not being aware that

Highlights the state of unawareness as a condition.

without realizing that

Highlights the absence of realization at the time.

oblivious to the fact that

Implies a complete lack of awareness of something.

unbeknownst to them

Adds a sense of fate or irony to the lack of knowledge.

little did they know that

Creates suspense or foreshadowing.

failing to recognize that

Emphasizes a missed opportunity for understanding.

in ignorance of the fact that

Indicates a lack of knowledge about a specific detail.

with no knowledge that

Stresses the complete absence of information.

without any inkling that

Suggests a complete lack of suspicion or hint.

FAQs

How can I use "not knowing that" in a sentence?

Use "not knowing that" to introduce a fact or circumstance that a subject is unaware of. For instance, "She entered the house, "not knowing that" a surprise party awaited her".

What's a more formal alternative to "not knowing that"?

A more formal alternative to "not knowing that" could be "unaware that" or "without realizing that". For example, "He proceeded with the plan, "unaware that" the funding had been revoked".

Is it always necessary to include "that" after "not knowing"?

While grammatically correct, the "that" can sometimes be omitted for stylistic reasons, particularly in informal contexts. However, including "that" often improves clarity, especially in complex sentences. If unsure, err on the side of including "that".

What's the difference between "not knowing that" and "without knowing"?

"Not knowing that" introduces a specific piece of information the subject is unaware of. "Without knowing" is more general and can refer to a lack of knowledge about a process or skill. For example: "He fixed the car, "without knowing" much about engines" versus "He started the engine, "not knowing that" the fuel line was damaged".