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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 don't know

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

"We don't know what we don't know".

News & Media

The New York Times

Likewise, we don't know.

News & Media

The New Yorker

"Even we don't know.

News & Media

The New York Times

We don't know" squat.

News & Media

The New York Times

But we don't know.

(We don't know why).

Show more...

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

We do not know".

Egypt: we do not know.

News & Media

Independent

We didn't know.' ".

News & Media

The New York Times

We didn't know.

We didn't know anything.

News & Media

The New Yorker
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we don't know" to express uncertainty or a lack of information in a clear and direct manner. It is suitable for various contexts, from casual conversation to formal reports.

Common error

While "we don't know" is perfectly acceptable, avoid using it repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "we are unsure" or "this remains undetermined" to maintain reader engagement.

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we don't know" functions primarily as a declarative statement expressing a lack of knowledge or certainty. It is a common way to admit that information is missing or unavailable, as shown in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

20%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we don't know" is a grammatically sound and exceedingly common expression used to convey a lack of knowledge or certainty. Ludwig AI confirms its wide acceptance and appropriate use across diverse contexts. While primarily found in news and media, as well as academic and scientific publications, its neutral register makes it versatile for both formal and informal communication. When aiming for clarity and directness, "we don't know" serves as an effective and readily understood statement.

FAQs

How can I use "we don't know" in a sentence?

You can use "we don't know" to express a lack of information or certainty about something, as in "We don't know when the project will be completed" or "We don't know the exact cause of the problem".

What are some alternatives to "we don't know"?

Alternatives include phrases like "we are unsure", "we have no idea", or "it is unknown to us", depending on the level of formality and context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "we don't know"?

Yes, "we don't know" is grammatically correct. The contraction "don't" is the standard contraction of "do not" when used with the pronoun "we".

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

"We don't know" refers to a current lack of knowledge, while "we didn't know" refers to a past lack of knowledge. For example, "We don't know what the future holds" versus "We didn't know about the meeting until today".

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Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: