to our knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to our knowledge" is a perfectly valid and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to underscore the fact that something is true or accurate based on the knowledge available to the speaker or writer. For example, you might say "To our knowledge, no one on the team has any prior experience in competitive robotics."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not to our knowledge".

The New York Times

To our knowledge no similar tool exists.

International Journal of Nursing Studies

To our knowledge, she never let a friend down.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's not to our knowledge otherwise," she said.

The Guardian

This new research does add to our knowledge.

The Guardian

"Dollar values aside, these discoveries add to our knowledge".

The New York Times

What practical limits are there to our knowledge?

The Guardian - Tech

To our knowledge, no such interviews ever took place.

The New York Times

"Not to our knowledge," Van der Sypt said.

The Guardian

To our knowledge, there's nothing new in the case".

The New York Times

Archive images add to our knowledge of her.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to our knowledge" to clearly indicate the scope of your certainty, acknowledging that further information may exist beyond your current awareness.

Common error

Avoid using "to our knowledge" when you possess comprehensive expertise or have conducted exhaustive research on a topic. In such cases, a more definitive statement may be appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to our knowledge" primarily functions as a disclaimer or a hedge. It indicates that the speaker's statement is based on the information currently available to them, acknowledging the possibility of unknown or contradictory information. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and utility of this expression in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to our knowledge" is a versatile and commonly used expression that qualifies statements based on the speaker's or writer's current understanding. It is grammatically correct and serves to acknowledge potential gaps in information. As indicated by Ludwig AI, its utility extends across diverse contexts, particularly in scientific and news-related fields. While synonyms like "as far as we know" offer more informal alternatives, it's crucial to avoid overstating certainty when employing this phrase. Consider this phrase a reliable way to avoid any kind of claim that could be misconstrued in a legal, moral or scientific way.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as far as we know

This alternative provides a more informal tone while conveying the same meaning.

to the best of our understanding

This phrase emphasizes the understanding of the speaker or writer, rather than just the knowledge.

it is our understanding

This more formal version of "we understand" emphasizes comprehension and insight.

according to our information

This alternative highlights the information available to the speaker or writer as the basis for the statement.

from our perspective

This phrase indicates that the statement is based on a specific viewpoint or understanding.

based on our current understanding

This explicitly limits the statement to the current state of understanding and could shift in the future.

in our experience

This alternative shifts the basis of the statement to personal experience.

we believe

This option expresses a belief based on the available knowledge, rather than a statement of fact.

we understand

This phrase implies comprehension and insight into the matter being discussed.

we are aware

This alternative focuses solely on the awareness of something, without necessarily implying complete knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "to our knowledge" in a sentence?

Use "to our knowledge" to preface a statement when you want to indicate that the information you are providing is accurate based on your current understanding. For example, "To our knowledge, no similar studies have been conducted."

What's a more formal way to say "to our knowledge"?

A more formal alternative to "to our knowledge" is "it is our understanding". This phrase is suitable for academic or professional writing.

What can I say instead of "to our knowledge" if I want to sound less formal?

If you want to sound less formal, you can use "as far as we know". This phrase conveys the same meaning in a more casual tone.

When should I avoid using "to our knowledge"?

Avoid using "to our knowledge" if you have absolute certainty about the information you are presenting. The phrase implies a degree of uncertainty or limitation in your understanding.