we already know

USAGE SUMMARY

"we already know" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are indicating that a person or group of people have a knowledge of something that was previously established. For example, "We already know that the market will be closed on Tuesday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"We already know that".

The New York Times

Perhaps we already know.

The New York Times

We already know factor #1.

The New York Times

We already know what happened.

The New York Times

We already know the answer.

The New Yorker

Which we already know.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Didn't we already know that?

The New York Times

We already know that we are stressed.

The New York Times

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Vice

We already know our value of m.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

And we already know what to expect.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we already know" to efficiently indicate shared knowledge, avoiding unnecessary repetition or lengthy explanations. This is useful in both formal and informal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "we already know" dismissively in arguments. It can sound condescending or close-minded. Instead, acknowledge different perspectives or explain why the information is relevant despite being known.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we already know" functions as an assertion of shared knowledge. It indicates that the speaker and audience are both aware of a particular fact or concept, which is validated by the examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

10%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we already know" is a versatile expression used to indicate shared understanding and avoid redundancy in communication. Grammatically correct and frequently employed across various contexts, from news and media to academia, its function is to assert existing knowledge. As confirmed by Ludwig, it signals that the speaker and audience share a common understanding. While generally neutral, the tone can vary depending on the context. To avoid sounding condescending, consider using softer alternatives in sensitive situations. Ludwig's analysis underscores that mastering this phrase involves understanding its purpose, register, and potential impact on the audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are already aware

Replaces "know" with "aware", emphasizing consciousness and perception of the information.

it is already known to us

Shifts the sentence structure to passive voice, highlighting the information's status as something already established.

we are previously informed

Uses "previously informed" to emphasize that the knowledge was received at an earlier time.

we have prior knowledge

Highlights the existence of "prior knowledge", suggesting a more formal or academic context.

we understand this already

Emphasizes comprehension and understanding, rather than just knowing.

that is already clear to us

Indicates that the information is not only known, but also unambiguous and evident.

we've already established that

Focuses on the act of establishing the information as a fact or agreement.

the information is not new to us

Emphasizes the lack of novelty, indicating familiarity with the subject.

we're familiar with this

Uses "familiar" to suggest a general acquaintance and understanding of the topic.

this is not news to us

Indicates a lack of surprise or relevance, highlighting that the information is expected.

FAQs

How can I use "we already know" in a sentence?

You can use "we already know" to indicate shared understanding or previously established information. For example: "We already know the deadline is next week, so we need to prioritize this project."

What's a more formal way to say "we already know"?

In a more formal context, consider using phrases like "it is already known to us" or "we are already aware" to convey the same meaning with a higher degree of formality.

When is it inappropriate to use "we already know"?

It may be inappropriate to use "we already know" when addressing someone who might not have the same information or when you want to avoid sounding condescending. In such cases, providing a brief explanation is more helpful.

What can I say instead of "we already know" to soften the tone?

To soften the tone, consider alternatives such as "we understand this already" or "we're familiar with this", which sound less dismissive and more inclusive.