was already known

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was already known" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was previously recognized or understood before a certain point in time. Example: "The results of the experiment were surprising, but the potential risks associated with the procedure was already known to the researchers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most results confirm what was already known.

The Economist

Holmes was already known for his jab.

The New Yorker

But that much was already known.

The New York Times - Sports

Mostly the segment recapped what was already known.

The New York Times

And he was already known for leaving things unfinished.

The New Yorker

It was already known in the mid-19th century.

The New York Times

I was already known for hard hitting, honest books.

The Guardian

Unfortunately, the man was already known to Italian intelligence.

The Economist

Mr. Nakoula was already known to federal authorities.

The New York Times

He was already known as an eloquent evangelist.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1970, DeMatha was already known for its basketball program.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was already known" to emphasize that a piece of information was not new or surprising, particularly when contrasting it with a new discovery or development.

Common error

Avoid using "was already known" when the context already implies prior knowledge. For example, instead of saying "The commonly accepted fact was already known", simply state "The commonly accepted fact" to avoid redundancy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was already known" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a state of prior awareness or understanding. According to Ludwig, its presence in sentences helps to emphasize that a particular fact, concept, or piece of information was not new or surprising within a given context. The examples showcase its function across diverse subjects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

39%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was already known" is a versatile verbal phrase used to indicate that information was previously understood or recognized. Ludwig's AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and encyclopedic content. While generally neutral in register, it’s essential to avoid redundancy by ensuring its use adds value to the sentence. Related phrases like "had been previously established" or "was common knowledge" can provide nuanced alternatives based on the specific context. It is important to use this phrase to highlight something that wasn't novel in a specific situation, while avoiding stating what is obvious.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was common knowledge

Highlights that the knowledge was widespread and not specialized.

had been known

Slightly more concise, omitting "already" for brevity.

was previously understood

Similar to "was formerly understood", but with less emphasis on the change of state.

was previously recognized

Emphasizes prior recognition or acknowledgment of something.

was already established

Suggests something was set up or proven beforehand.

had been previously established

Focuses on the establishment of knowledge rather than simple awareness.

was an established fact

Emphasizes the certainty and validity of the information.

was a known fact

Directly states the information was a commonly accepted truth.

was formerly understood

Highlights a past understanding that may or may not persist.

had already been determined

Implies a definitive conclusion or decision was reached earlier.

FAQs

How can I use "was already known" in a sentence?

You can use "was already known" to indicate that something was previously recognized or understood. For instance, "The risks of the surgery "were already known" to the patient before the procedure".

What are some alternatives to "was already known"?

Some alternatives include "was previously understood", "was common knowledge", or "had been established" depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to include "already" in the phrase "was known"?

No, the word "already" is not always necessary. Omitting "already" still conveys that something "was known", but including it emphasizes the fact that it was known before a particular point in time.

What's the difference between "was already known" and "was originally known"?

"Was already known" indicates something that was previously known at a specific point, while "was originally known" indicates what something was known as at its inception or beginning.