we may know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we may know" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the possibility of gaining knowledge or understanding about something. Example: "Through careful research and analysis, we may know the true impact of climate change on our environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We may know more today.

Independent

We may know quite soon.

The New York Times - Sports

We may know theater better than you.

The New York Times

Science tells us what we may know, along with why and how we may know it.

The Guardian - Books

We may know this 5 or 10 years from now".

The New York Times

We may know this five or 10 years from now".

The New York Times

We may know why Paul Manafort has kept quiet.

The Washington Post

We may know, but we don't always do.

The New York Times

"We may know more in a week to 10 days," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

So one day we may know who got the most votes in Florida.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"We may never know that for certain; we may never know exactly what was animating him".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we may know", ensure the context provides clarity on what 'we' refers to. If 'we' is ambiguous, specify the group or individuals involved for better comprehension.

Common error

Avoid using "we may know" when you are actually certain about something. Opt for stronger phrases like "we know" or "it is known" to accurately reflect your level of confidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we may know" functions as an epistemic modal phrase, expressing a degree of possibility or uncertainty regarding future knowledge. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is frequently used to indicate that there is a chance of gaining information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

20%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we may know" is a commonly used phrase to express the possibility of gaining knowledge in the future. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. It's frequently found in news, academic and scientific contexts, suggesting its versatility. When using this phrase, ensure you are not overstating your certainty and clarify who "we" refers to. Alternatives include "we might know" or "we could know", offering slight variations in probability. Remember that "we may know" is not synonymous with "we will know," as the former implies uncertainty. This modal phrase allows you to express the potential for future knowledge with nuance and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we might know

Replaces 'may' with 'might', suggesting a slightly lower probability or confidence.

we could know

Substitutes 'may' with 'could', indicating a potential or conditional possibility of knowing.

we can know

Uses 'can' to imply a possibility based on ability or circumstances, rather than permission.

we might find out

Replaces 'know' with 'find out', emphasizing the process of discovering information.

we could learn

Employs 'learn' instead of 'know', focusing on the acquisition of knowledge.

it is possible we will know

Expands the phrase to a full sentence, highlighting the possibility more explicitly.

we have the potential to know

Focuses on the inherent capability or potential to gain knowledge.

it is conceivable that we will know

Uses 'conceivable' to suggest that knowing is within the realm of possibility or imagination.

it is not impossible that we will know

Expresses the possibility of knowing by negating its impossibility, a more formal construction.

we stand a chance of knowing

Indicates that there's an opportunity or likelihood, however small, of gaining knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "we may know" in a sentence?

Use "we may know" to indicate a possibility of knowing something in the future, as in, "By next week, "we may know" the results of the experiment."

What's a more formal alternative to "we may know"?

In more formal contexts, consider "it is possible that we will know" or "we might ascertain". These alternatives provide a more professional tone.

Is "we may know" the same as "we will know"?

No. "We may know" suggests a possibility, while "we will know" implies certainty. "We may know" leaves room for doubt, while "we will know" states a future fact.

Can I use "we may know" to talk about past events?

While grammatically correct, it's more common to use "we might have known" or "we could have known" to express possibilities related to past events, instead of "we may know."