we did not know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we did not know" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a lack of knowledge or awareness about something in the past. Example: "At the time of the meeting, we did not know the project had been canceled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We did not know.

The New Yorker

We did not know, we did not know".

The Guardian

Until that minute, we did not know.

The New Yorker

"We did not know this before.

The Guardian

We did not know about cholesterol then.

The New York Times - Travel

We did not know the family.

The New York Times

We did not know what to expect.

The Washington Post

"We did not know about pollution then.

The Guardian

"We did not know what was happening.

The Guardian

We did not know for sure.

The New York Times

For what, we did not know.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we did not know" to introduce a shift in understanding or a new piece of information. This creates a sense of discovery and engages the reader.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "we did not know" without explaining the significance of the missing information. Always clarify why it matters that the information was unknown to provide context and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we did not know" functions as a declarative statement expressing a lack of awareness or knowledge at a particular time. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, commonly used to convey that the speakers were uninformed about something in the past.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we did not know" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to indicate a lack of awareness or information about something in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business settings, it serves to provide context, justify actions, or introduce new information. While alternatives like "we were unaware" or "we had no idea" exist, "we did not know" remains a versatile and reliable choice. When using it, ensure you provide sufficient context to clarify the significance of the missing information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were unaware

Replaces "did not know" with a more formal synonym, focusing on a state of being uninformed.

we had no idea

Emphasizes a complete lack of knowledge or understanding.

we weren't informed

Highlights the absence of information provided to the speaker.

we hadn't realized

Focuses on the process of becoming aware, which did not occur.

we were oblivious

Indicates a lack of awareness due to being distracted or unobservant.

we were ignorant

Suggests a lack of knowledge, potentially implying a lack of education or information.

it escaped our notice

Implies that something was overlooked or not noticed.

we failed to recognize

Focuses on the inability to identify or understand something.

we weren't conscious of

Highlights a lack of conscious awareness.

we remained in the dark

Indicates a state of being uninformed or lacking crucial information.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we did not know" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "we were unaware", or "we had no prior knowledge", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "we did not know" and "we didn't know"?

"We did not know" is slightly more formal than "we didn't know". The contracted form, "we didn't know", is perfectly acceptable in most informal and neutral contexts, whereas "we did not know" might be preferred in formal writing or speech.

Is it correct to use "we did not know of" instead of "we did not know"?

While "we did not know" is generally sufficient, "we did not know of" can be used to emphasize that you were unaware of the existence or occurrence of something. For example, "we did not know of the meeting" suggests you weren't even aware the meeting was happening.

What are some alternatives to "we did not know" that express surprise?

To express surprise along with a lack of knowledge, you might use phrases like "we had no idea", "we never realized", or "we were completely unaware".