we are knowing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we are knowing" is not correct in standard written English.
It is generally not used because "know" is a stative verb that does not typically take the continuous form. Example: "We are knowing more about the situation as we gather more information." (Note: This usage is awkward and not standard.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

'All we are knowing is that before the war we are children and now we are not.' In other words, why war?

The Guardian - Books

"We wanted to visit if we could; it's one thing we are knowing from New York," said Mr. Christiansen, who sells plants and gardening supplies from his home near Copenhagen.

The New York Times

Increasingly, she argues, we are knowing where information can be found rather than retaining knowledge itself.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

But sometimes we're knowing about things that we don't know much about at all.

The New Yorker

Both obesity and diet-related chronic disease are rampant, suggesting we either don't know what we're doing, or don't do what we're knowing.

Huffington Post

All we really need to do is to make the effort to be the best we can be, knowing we will often fail.

Huffington Post

And as I have always said, the only thing more scary than knowing we are not alone in the universe, is knowing we ARE alone in the universe. .

Huffington Post

"We sat and talked as if we had been knowing each other for years.

Huffington Post

We did it knowingly, but without knowing precisely what we were being knowing about.

The Guardian - Sport

The public looked so pleased -- it was like we'd been knowing each other all the time.

The New York Times - Magazine

Dear Mommy, on this your first anniversary in Heaven, the only consolation we have is knowing you are at peace with Daddy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the simple present tense ("we know") instead of the continuous form ("we are knowing") when expressing a current state of knowledge or understanding. This adheres to standard English grammar rules.

Common error

Stative verbs like "know", "believe", and "understand" typically describe states rather than actions. Using them in continuous tenses (e.g., "is knowing", "are believing") is generally incorrect. Stick to simple tenses for these verbs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we are knowing" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. The verb "know" is a stative verb that describes a state of being, not an action. As such, it typically does not take the continuous form. Ludwig's examples show it mainly appears in direct quotations or non-standard contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "we are knowing" might appear in certain contexts, such as direct quotations or informal speech, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig indicates that its usage is infrequent and often found in non-standard situations. It's best to use alternatives like "we know" or "we are aware" to express current knowledge or understanding accurately and effectively. When encountered, analyze the context to determine if it is intentional or simply an error in grammar.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we know

Uses the simple present tense, which is the correct form for the verb "know" when expressing a current state of knowledge.

we are aware

Replaces "knowing" with "aware", which is an adjective describing a state of understanding.

we understand

Uses a different verb to convey comprehension or knowledge.

we have knowledge

Emphasizes possession of knowledge rather than the act of knowing.

we are cognizant

A more formal way of saying "we are aware".

we realize

Implies a sudden understanding or awareness.

it is known to us

Shifts the focus to the information being known rather than the knowers.

we have come to know

Suggests a process of learning or discovery.

we perceive

Indicates awareness through the senses or intuition.

we are finding out

Focuses on the process of gaining knowledge.

FAQs

Why is "we are knowing" considered grammatically incorrect?

The verb "know" is a stative verb that describes a state of being, not an action. Stative verbs typically don't take continuous forms. Therefore, "we are knowing" is not standard English. Use "we know" instead.

What can I say instead of "we are knowing" to express the same idea?

You can use alternatives like "we know", "we are aware", or "we understand" depending on the context.

Is there any context where "we are knowing" might be acceptable?

While generally incorrect, "we are knowing" might appear in direct quotes, non-standard dialects, or creative writing where grammatical rules are intentionally broken. However, it is not appropriate for formal or standard English writing.

What is the difference between "we are knowing" and "we know"?

"We know" is the grammatically correct and standard way to express that you currently have knowledge or understanding. "We are knowing" is non-standard and generally considered incorrect because "know" is a stative verb.