who should know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "who should know" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to individuals or groups that are expected to have knowledge about a particular topic or situation. Example: "In this case, the information should be shared with those who should know, such as the project managers and team leads."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

All women who should know better.

Independent

The people who should know, already do.

The Guardian - Tech

And those who should know better lack all conviction.

The New York Times

"For men who should know better" goes Loaded's tagline.

The Economist

Even those who should know better fall into the trap.

Independent

People, like Allen, who should know their place.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Two men who should know better thought otherwise.

The New York Times - Sports

It couldn't figure out, essentially, who should know what.

The Guardian - Opinion

President Bush, who should know, has called for their abolition.

The New York Times

Who should know the companies on their doorsteps best?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

And it is remarkable how frequently unhelpful attitudes are revealed by people who should know better.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "who should know", ensure the context clearly indicates why these individuals are expected to possess the knowledge in question. This adds clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "who should know" without clearly defining the context or relevance of their expected knowledge. This can make your writing vague and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "who should know" functions as a relative clause introducing individuals or groups expected to possess particular knowledge. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used. The phrase highlights an expectation or assumption about someone's understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "who should know" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to refer to individuals or groups expected to have certain knowledge. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it appears frequently in news and media contexts and maintains a neutral register. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure that the context clearly defines why these individuals are expected to possess the knowledge. Consider alternatives like "who needs to be informed" or "those in the know" for different nuances. Avoiding overuse without specific context will keep your writing precise and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

who needs to be informed

Focuses on the necessity of informing certain individuals.

who needs to be aware

Emphasizes the importance of awareness among specific people.

who has to be told

Highlights the obligation to communicate information to certain individuals.

who ought to know

Suggests a moral or logical imperative for knowing.

who is expected to know

Focuses on the expectation of knowledge among specific people.

who is supposed to know

Implies a responsibility or duty to have knowledge.

who is privy to the information

Highlights those with access to specific information.

those in the know

Refers to individuals who possess insider knowledge.

the relevant parties

Identifies the individuals or groups directly involved or affected.

those with the requisite knowledge

Emphasizes the necessary expertise or understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "who should know" in a sentence?

You can use "who should know" to refer to individuals or groups expected to have knowledge about a particular topic. For example, "The information should be shared with those "who should know", such as project managers".

What's a more formal way to say "who should know"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "those "who ought to know"" or "those "who need to be informed"". These options convey a similar meaning with a slightly more professional register.

Is it correct to say "whom should know" instead of "who should know"?

While "whom" is the objective case of "who", in modern usage, "who" is often used in place of "whom", especially in informal contexts. Therefore, "who should know" is generally considered acceptable, even though "whom should know" might be technically correct.

What's the difference between "who should know" and "who needs to know"?

"Who should know" implies an expectation of knowledge based on their role or position. "Who needs to know", on the other hand, suggests a requirement for knowledge to perform a task or make a decision. The choice depends on whether you're emphasizing expectation or necessity.