simply to know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "simply to know" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a desire or intention to acquire knowledge or information without any additional complexity. Example: "I approached the subject with an open mind, simply to know what others thought about it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

In the past, we collected information not simply to know things.

The New York Times

"We were very happy simply to know that he was safe".

The New York Times

Simply to know that people who thought that way existed was a game changer for me.

The New Yorker

Put simply, to know science is not necessarily to love it.

The Guardian

All I want now is simply to know whether my child is alive".Others have become inured to violence.

The Economist

But for some time, Sean had longed not to succeed his father, but simply to know him better.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

But many others simply wanted to know the price they could get for their private arsenals.

The Economist

I was snapped out of my nervousness and simply had to know who had just spoken.

Columbia University

Delegates simply wanted to know who had won but they cheered faithfully first for Gordon Brown and Harriet Harman.

The Guardian

But he appeared resigned Wednesday to simply "getting to know" the presumed nominee.

Los Angeles Times

I simply want to know the answer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "simply to know" when you want to express a fundamental and uncomplicated desire for knowledge or information. It suggests that the act of knowing itself is the primary goal, without further implications or motivations.

Common error

Avoid using "simply to know" when the intention involves more than just acquiring information. If the purpose includes understanding nuances, making decisions, or taking actions based on knowledge, a more specific phrase might be appropriate. For example, instead of "He researched the topic simply to know", consider "He researched the topic to understand the underlying causes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "simply to know" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and used to indicate the reason or intent behind an action, denoting a straightforward desire for knowledge without further implications. For example, "They tell us how much of a relief it is "simply to know" what they were up against."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "simply to know" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that expresses a basic desire for knowledge or information. According to Ludwig AI, it's suitable for indicating a straightforward intent without ulterior motives. While the phrase is most commonly found in News & Media contexts, it also appears in academic and scientific sources. To maximize clarity, remember that "simply to know" is most effective when the act of knowing itself is the primary goal, and should be avoided if the intention includes deeper comprehension or action. For alternatives, you can consider using "merely to understand", "just to find out", or "purely for knowledge".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

merely to understand

Replaces "simply" with "merely", suggesting a basic level of comprehension is the goal.

just to find out

Emphasizes the act of discovering information.

purely for knowledge

Highlights that knowledge acquisition is the only objective.

only to realize

Focuses on the realization that follows the act of knowing.

simply for awareness

Highlights the intention of being conscious or informed about something.

plainly to be informed

Underlines the clarity and directness of the informational goal.

just to be aware

Focuses on achieving a state of consciousness or understanding.

exclusively to learn

Stresses that learning is the only purpose.

solely to gain insight

Highlights the intention of achieving a deeper understanding.

particularly to grasp

Emphasizes the intent to fully comprehend something.

FAQs

How can I use "simply to know" in a sentence?

You can use "simply to know" to express a basic desire for information. For example, "I'm asking "simply to know" what your opinion is on the matter".

What phrases are similar to "simply to know"?

Similar phrases include "merely to understand", "just to find out", or "purely for knowledge". The best alternative depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "simply to know"?

While "simply to know" is grammatically correct, it's best suited for situations where the intention is purely informational. If the context involves more complex motivations, a different phrase might be more accurate.

What's the difference between "simply to know" and "just to understand"?

"Simply to know" emphasizes the acquisition of knowledge as the primary goal, while "just to understand" focuses on achieving comprehension. The choice depends on whether the emphasis is on the information itself or the process of understanding it.