were known to

USAGE SUMMARY

"were known to" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is generally used when referring to past events or people who were known for something. For example: "The ancient Greeks were known to be inventive thinkers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Her "stats" were known to her husband.

The New Yorker

Mining towns were known to be rough.

The New Yorker

The plans were known to western intelligence.

The Guardian

Penalty minutes were known to reach triple digits.

The New York Times - Sports

No foreigners were known to be among the dead.

The New York Times

His ethics and honesty were known to all.

The New York Times

Several had criminal records or were known to police.

The Guardian

Such parties were known to incite racism and violence.

The Guardian

But a few were known to friends, and are remembered.

The New York Times

The Paris killers were known to the French intelligence agencies.

The Guardian

The Moors were known to be especially formidable.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were known to" when referring to past events or characteristics widely recognized or acknowledged. Ensure the subject aligns with the plural form of "were".

Common error

Avoid using "were known to" with singular subjects; use "was known to" instead. For example, it is incorrect to say "The author were known to use metaphors"; the correct form is "The author was known to use metaphors".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were known to" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject received the action of being known or recognized. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correctly used to describe widely acknowledged characteristics or past events. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were known to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction to describe past knowledge or recognized attributes, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a passive construction conveying information about established facts. As demonstrated by Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and encyclopedic content, maintaining a neutral to formal tone. When using this phrase, ensure the subject agrees in number and that the context appropriately reflects past knowledge. Alternatives such as "were recognized to" or "were believed to" can be considered to add nuance. Avoid using "were known to" with singular subjects; use "was known to" instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were recognized to

This alternative replaces "known" with "recognized", emphasizing the acknowledgement or awareness of something.

were understood to

This alternative replaces "known" with "understood", suggesting a deeper level of comprehension or insight.

were identified to

This suggests that something was specifically recognized or distinguished.

were considered to

This alternative replaces "known" with "considered", highlighting a general opinion or assessment.

were established to

This indicates that something was proven or confirmed.

were reputed to

This alternative implies that something was known through hearsay or reputation.

were documented to

This alternative highlights that something was officially recorded or noted.

were believed to

This alternative suggests that something was accepted as true, though not necessarily proven.

were thought to

Similar to "believed", this indicates a common perception or opinion.

were discovered to

This alternative implies that something was found out or revealed.

FAQs

How can I use "were known to" in a sentence?

Use "were known to" when describing a characteristic or action that was generally attributed to a group or entity in the past. For instance, "The Romans "were known to build aqueducts"".

What are some alternatives to "were known to"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include phrases like "were recognized to", "were believed to", or "were considered to". Each carries a slightly different nuance regarding the certainty or basis of the knowledge.

Is it correct to use "was known to" instead of "were known to"?

The correctness depends on the subject. "Was known to" is used with singular subjects, while "were known to" is used with plural subjects. For example, "The scientist was known to be innovative", but "The scientists "were known to collaborate"".

What's the difference between "were known to" and "are known to"?

"Were known to" refers to past knowledge or characteristics, while "are known to" refers to present knowledge or characteristics. For instance, "Vikings "were known to raid coastal villages"" (past), and "Bees "are known to pollinate flowers"" (present).