on knowing that

USAGE SUMMARY

"on knowing that" is a valid phrase that can be used in written English.
One might use this phrase to mean "Once someone knows or realizes that..." For example: "On knowing that the party was cancelled, they decided to have a movie night at home instead."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

This system, quite unfortunately, empowers racists to carry on, knowing that little, if anything will happen to them.

Huffington Post

For good or ill, he said, a plaintiff's right to claim a body for burial turned on knowing that, in fact, it belonged to a loved one.

The New York Times

"I put mine on knowing that," Carter says, "but it was such a big hit, now several upscale restaurants in town have it on the menu".

The New York Times - Magazine

That's not the Costco we all know and love, where the CEO would surely come in packs of two dozen, right?* *This joke relies on knowing that Costco sells everything in HUGE sizes.

The Guardian

While the geriatric division uses a combination of psychotherapy and antidepressant medications, the key to successful treatment, the doctor said, depends on knowing that "various people respond to drugs in various ways".

The New York Times

They brush it off and move on, knowing that, eventually, their hard work will lead to a yes.

Forbes

(Matters are complicated, however, by the fact that Descartes also says in the Third Meditation that certainty depends on knowing that God exists and is not a deceiver).

SEP

So far largely unmoved, I nevertheless press on, knowing that tomorrow is another day, with new Pokémon to collect.

Vice

Does he plan to avoid teaching hospitals from now on knowing that most of the physicians are in the midst of their medical training?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

They're letting us be creative and hands-on, knowing that we know what style of music we want when we go into the studio.

Huffington Post

Condorcet confronts the question head-on, knowing that even English law, to which he has just appealed, is strongly prejudiced against married women.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary sentence structure by occasionally replacing "on knowing that" with synonyms to enhance readability and avoid repetition.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "on knowing that" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "once I knew that" or "when I found out that" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "on knowing that" is to act as a prepositional phrase introducing a dependent clause. It specifies the condition or circumstance that leads to a particular action or realization. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used to establish a cause-and-effect relationship.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

17%

Huffington Post

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

17%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on knowing that" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to establish a cause-and-effect relationship rooted in awareness. As Ludwig AI indicated, its grammatical correctness and wide usage across various sources solidify its place in the English language. While it's essential for writers, as this analysis highlights, to understand its register and avoid overuse in informal settings, you can replace it with alternatives like "upon realizing that" or "once aware that". Recognizing its communicative purpose and frequency of occurrence allows for more effective and nuanced writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon realizing that

Emphasizes the moment of realization as the trigger.

once aware that

Highlights a state of awareness that precedes an action or understanding.

after learning that

Focuses on the acquisition of knowledge as the starting point.

with the understanding that

Indicates a prior agreement or accepted condition.

recognizing that

Emphasizes the act of acknowledging or identifying something as true.

being cognizant that

Highlights a formal and conscious awareness of something.

given the fact that

Introduces a statement based on established knowledge.

in light of the knowledge that

Suggests a decision or action taken based on newly acquired information.

now that they know

Highlights how someone acts in consideration of recently obtained knowledge

having ascertained that

Indicates that information has been confirmed as definitively true

FAQs

How can I use "on knowing that" in a sentence?

Use "on knowing that" to introduce a consequence or realization that follows from a piece of knowledge. For example: "On knowing that the store was closed, they decided to order online."

What phrases are similar to "on knowing that"?

You can use alternatives like "upon realizing that", "once aware that", or "after learning that", depending on the specific context.

Is "on knowing that" formal or informal?

The phrase "on knowing that" tends to be more formal. In informal contexts, consider using phrases like "once I knew that" or "when I found out that".

Which is correct, "on knowing that" or "upon knowing that"?

Both "on knowing that" and "upon knowing that" are grammatically correct, but "on knowing that" is more frequently used. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific nuance you wish to convey.