we knew

USAGE SUMMARY

"we knew" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone shared an idea or opinion about something. For example, "We knew that the country was in ruins, but we had to keep going."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We knew.

The New York Times

We knew that".

The New York Times

"We knew nothing.

The New York Times

We knew this.

The New York Times - Magazine

We knew their names.

The New York Times

And so we knew.

The New York Times

We knew different.

Independent

Would that we knew.

Independent

"We knew the risk".

The New York Times

How little we knew.

The New York Times - Health

Well, we knew that.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we knew", consider whether a more specific verb, such as "understood", "recognized", or "anticipated", would more precisely convey the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "we knew" when the knowledge was not actually shared by all members of the group. Be specific about who possessed the knowledge to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we knew" functions as a statement of shared prior knowledge or understanding. It's used to indicate that a group of people possessed certain information or comprehension about something before a particular event or situation. Ludwig's examples show its wide range of uses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we knew" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to express a shared prior knowledge or understanding. According to Ludwig, it functions as a statement of fact, establishing a common ground between the speaker and audience. While its register is generally neutral, its usage is most prevalent in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure that the context makes it clear who "we" refers to and what was known. Although frequently used, consider more precise alternatives like "we were aware" or "we understood" for nuanced meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were aware

Emphasizes being conscious or informed about something.

we had knowledge of

Highlights the possession of specific information.

we understood

Focuses on comprehension and grasping the meaning of something.

we recognized

Stresses the ability to identify or perceive something familiar.

it was known to us

Puts emphasis on the information being public or generally available.

we were informed

Highlights having received information from an external source.

we had been told

Focuses on the act of being informed by someone else.

we anticipated

Emphasizes expecting something to happen based on prior knowledge.

we foresaw

Indicates the ability to predict something before it occurs.

we suspected

Suggests a belief or hunch based on limited evidence.

FAQs

How can I use "we knew" in a sentence?

The phrase "we knew" is used to indicate a shared understanding or prior knowledge. For example, "We knew the project would be challenging, but we were determined to succeed."

What's a more formal alternative to "we knew"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "we were aware" or "it was known to us" to convey a similar meaning with greater formality.

Is it always clear who "we" refers to when using "we knew"?

No, it's important to ensure that the context makes it clear who "we" refers to. If there's any ambiguity, specify the group or individuals who shared the knowledge.

What's the difference between "we knew" and "we suspected"?

"We knew" implies certainty and confirmed knowledge, while "we suspected" suggests a belief or hunch based on limited evidence, but without definitive proof.