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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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we didn't know

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We didn't know anything.

News & Media

The New Yorker

We didn't know.' ".

News & Media

The New York Times

But we didn't know.

A: We didn't know.

News & Media

The New York Times

We didn't know.

We didn't know that!

As if we didn't know.

"We didn't know it either.

News & Media

The New York Times

"But we didn't know what".

News & Media

The New York Times

"We didn't know," he said.

News & Media

The New York Times

We didn't know anybody.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we didn't know" to express a lack of prior knowledge or awareness, especially when explaining past actions or decisions. It's effective for providing context or justification.

Common error

While versatile, excessive use of "we didn't know" can make writing seem defensive or lacking in foresight. Consider using more proactive language or providing solutions to mitigate the lack of prior knowledge.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

91%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we didn't know" functions as a declarative statement expressing a past lack of knowledge or awareness. It introduces information that was previously unknown to the speakers. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in explaining past actions or circumstances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we didn't know" is a common phrase used to express a past lack of knowledge or awareness. Ludwig examples showcase its versatility across various contexts, primarily in news, academic, and scientific domains. The phrase holds a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. The phrase is grammatically correct, which is confirmed by Ludwig AI, and it serves to provide context, explanations, or justifications for past actions. While frequently used, writers should be mindful of overuse, particularly in formal writing, and should consider more proactive language to demonstrate foresight and solutions. Alternatives like "we were unaware" or "we had no idea" can be used for variety.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "we didn't know"?

You can use alternatives like "we were unaware", "we had no idea", or "we weren't informed" depending on the context.

How to use "we didn't know" in a sentence?

The phrase "we didn't know" is typically followed by what you were unaware of. For example, "We didn't know the risks involved" or "We didn't know about the changes to the policy".

Is it acceptable to start a sentence with "we didn't know"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and acceptable to start a sentence with "we didn't know". It can effectively introduce a statement explaining a previous lack of awareness.

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

"We didn't know" refers to a lack of knowledge in the past, while "we don't know" refers to a current lack of knowledge. For example, "We didn't know the answer yesterday, but we do now" versus "We don't know the answer yet, but we are researching it".

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Source & Trust

91%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: