to know better

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to know better" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has more knowledge or experience about a situation and should act accordingly. Example: "After all these years, I should know better than to trust him with my secrets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Florida ought to know better.

The New York Times

Marquez really ought to know better.

The New York Times - Sports

Krauthammer, Lutz felt, had to know better.

The New York Times

They need to know better.

The New York Times - Sports

The authors ought to know better.

The New York Times - Books

How was I to know better?

The New York Times - Magazine

Aren't you old enough to know better?

The New Yorker

He was old enough to know better.

The New York Times

How's the instructor going to know better?

The New York Times

"Meryl Streep has to know better.

The Guardian - Film

Mr. Giuliani doesn't seem to know better.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to know better" when you want to express that someone should have acted differently given their knowledge or experience. For example: "After all these years, I should "to know better" than to trust him with my secrets."

Common error

Avoid using "know better than to" when you simply mean someone should have acted differently. "Know better than to" implies resisting a temptation, whereas "to know better" refers to possessing the knowledge to make a better decision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to know better" primarily functions as an infinitive phrase, often used after modal verbs like should, ought, or need. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it conveys the idea of someone possessing the knowledge or experience to make a more informed decision.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to know better" is a common and grammatically sound infinitive phrase used to express that someone should have acted differently given their knowledge or experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is typically found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts, implying a sense of disappointment or criticism. To avoid confusion, remember that "to know better" is different from "know better than to", which indicates resisting temptation. Consider alternatives like "to be wiser" or "to have more sense" for nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be wiser

Focuses on possessing wisdom as a result of knowledge and experience.

to have more sense

Emphasizes the possession of good judgment and common sense.

to be more informed

Highlights the state of having more information about a particular subject.

to have a better understanding

Emphasizes a deeper comprehension of a situation or concept.

to be more aware

Focuses on being conscious and mindful of something.

to have greater insight

Highlights the possession of a deeper and more perceptive understanding.

to be more experienced

Emphasizes having gained knowledge and skills through practical involvement.

to have learned one's lesson

Focuses on learning from past mistakes and modifying behavior accordingly.

to be more discerning

Emphasizes the ability to distinguish between different things accurately.

to be more knowledgeable

Highlights the state of possessing a wide range of information and understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "to know better" to express that someone, including yourself, should have acted differently given their knowledge or experience. For example, "He's a candidate, and ought "to know better"."

What does it mean when someone says "ought "to know better""?

When someone says "ought "to know better"", it implies that the person in question has the necessary knowledge or experience to make a more informed decision, and therefore should not have acted in the way they did.

What can I say instead of "to know better"?

Alternatives to "to know better" include "to be wiser", "to have more sense", or "to be more informed", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "to know better" and "know better than to"?

"To know better" indicates possessing knowledge that should guide better decision-making. "Know better than to" implies resisting temptation or avoiding a foolish action. For instance, "I should "to know better" (to be wiser)" versus "I know better than to trust him (resist the temptation to trust him)".