was to know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was to know" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a past intention or expectation regarding knowledge or understanding. Example: "What he truly wanted was to know the truth behind the mystery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The Stasi's motto was "to know everything".

The Guardian - Opinion

To know Don was to know laughter.

The New York Times

To know Dick Avedon was to know the sun.

The New Yorker

On every topic, he knew all there was to know.

The New Yorker

It was to know that the bond was real.

The New Yorker

Another question was to know whether in the several continued passages, immunogenic progressive loss could occur.

Experimental Parasitology

Beyond his community of devoted parishioners, who was to know?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Who's to know?

The New York Times

It is to know ourselves.

The Guardian

To ask is to know the answer.

The New York Times

"To meet him is to know him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was to know" when describing a past plan, expectation, or goal related to acquiring information or understanding. For example, "The objective of the experiment "was to know" the effects of the new drug."

Common error

Avoid using "was to know" when you actually mean "wanted to know". "Was to know" implies a scheduled event or expectation, while "wanted to know" simply expresses a desire. For instance, it's more appropriate to say "I wanted to know the answer" than "I was to know the answer" if you're simply expressing curiosity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was to know" functions as part of an infinitive phrase, typically indicating a past intention, purpose, or expectation related to gaining knowledge or understanding. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples show its use in academic research, news reports, and personal narratives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was to know" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression indicating a past intention or expectation to acquire knowledge. Ludwig AI analysis and examples from diverse sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and ScienceDirect show its applicability across news, science, and academic writing. Though versatile, it's crucial to differentiate its use from "wanted to know", ensuring accurate conveyance of intended meaning. The register remains relatively neutral, and the phrase is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aimed to understand

Specifically targets comprehension as the goal.

sought to comprehend

Indicates a deliberate effort to understand.

intended to learn

Focuses on the intention to gain knowledge.

meant to discover

Emphasizes the expectation of finding something out.

wished to determine

Expresses a desire to establish something definitively.

supposed to find out

Highlights an obligation or expectation of uncovering information.

aspired to grasp

Focuses on attaining a firm understanding.

needed to ascertain

Stresses the importance of confirming or verifying something.

endeavored to perceive

Emphasizes the attempt to become aware of something.

had to realize

Implies a necessity in coming to a realization.

FAQs

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

Use "was to know" to describe a past objective or expectation to gain knowledge. For example, "The primary goal of the investigation "was to know" the extent of the damage."

What's a good alternative to "was to know"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "intended to learn", "meant to discover", or "aimed to understand".

Is it correct to say "were to know" instead of "was to know"?

"Were to know" is used with plural subjects, while "was to know" is used with singular subjects. For example, "They were to know the results by Friday" is correct.

What is the difference between "was to know" and "was supposed to know"?

"Was to know" implies an arrangement or planned acquisition of knowledge, while "was supposed to know" suggests an expectation or obligation. For example, "He "was to know" the details before the meeting" suggests a scheduled briefing, while "He "was supposed to know" the details before the meeting" implies he should have known them.