only we know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only we know" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a specific piece of information is exclusive to a particular group of people. Example: "This secret is precious because only we know the truth behind it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Everything about this was a piece of magic that only WE know so well.

Huffington Post

Only we know how we feel.

The New York Times - Sports

"Also, only we know what a musician's life is like.

The New York Times

Somewhere Only We Know turns mortality into a singalong.

The Guardian - Music

"A map says not only 'We know all this', but often 'We own all this' too".

The Guardian

The ad features Lily Allen singing Keane's 2004 hit Somewhere Only We Know.

The Guardian - Business

I was most impressed with their second song, "Somewhere Only We Know," for both its technical perfection and soulfulness.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Her cover of Keane's "Somewhere Only We Know", accompanying the John Lewis Christmas advert, topped the charts.

Independent

New songs are interspersed with a predictable selection of hits: Somewhere Only We Know, Everybody's Changing, Is It Any Wonder?

The Guardian - Music

As Keane send the audience into delight with Somewhere Only We Know, all concerned are lost in uncomplicated joy.

The Guardian - Music

The singer held onto the top spot with her cover of Keane's 2004 song "Somewhere Only We Know," which features in the John Lewis Christmas advert.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and purpose when using "only we know"; it can create a sense of camaraderie or exclusion depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "only we know" without clearly establishing who the "we" refers to. Ambiguity can confuse the reader and diminish the impact of the statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only we know" functions as a declarative statement expressing a shared understanding or exclusive knowledge held by a specific group. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. The examples in Ludwig demonstrate its role in highlighting unique experiences or secrets shared among a defined group.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "only we know" is a grammatically correct expression used to convey shared understanding or exclusive knowledge within a defined group. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While relatively rare in overall usage, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When using "only we know", ensure clarity regarding the referent of "we" and be mindful of the implications of creating a sense of exclusivity. Consider alternatives like "just we are aware" or "exclusively we understand" depending on the desired nuance and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we're the only ones who know

Expands the phrase to explicitly state that others are excluded from the knowledge.

just we are aware

Replaces "only" with "just", slightly altering the emphasis but maintaining the core meaning.

we share this understanding alone

Highlights the shared nature of a unique understanding.

exclusively we understand

Substitutes "only" with "exclusively" and "know" with "understand", adding a layer of formality.

this is known only to us

A slightly more passive construction emphasizing the limited access to the knowledge.

we alone possess this knowledge

A formal alternative emphasizing the unique possession of information.

the knowledge is unique to us

Shifts the focus to the knowledge itself being unique, rather than the act of knowing.

we alone are privy to

Replaces the entire phrase with a more formal and emphatic construction, highlighting the privileged nature of the knowledge.

it remains between us

Indicates that information is confined to a specific group, implying confidentiality.

it's our little secret

Offers an idiom that conveys shared, exclusive knowledge, but is more informal and often used for trivial matters.

FAQs

How can I use "only we know" in a sentence?

"Only we know" is used to express a shared secret, understanding, or experience within a specific group. For example, "Only we know the challenges we faced to get here."

What does "only we know" imply?

It implies that the information or experience being discussed is not widely known or understood, creating a sense of exclusivity or shared identity.

Are there alternatives to "only we know" that I can use?

You can use alternatives like "just we are aware", "exclusively we understand", or "we alone are privy to" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "only we know" and "only I know"?

"Only we know" refers to a shared understanding among a group, while "only I know" refers to personal, individual knowledge. The former is collective, the latter is singular.