who would know

USAGE SUMMARY

"who would know" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used as a rhetorical question to express doubt or uncertainty. For example, "How do they expect us to get the job done on time? Who would know?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Today, who would know them?

The New Yorker

"And who would know?" Ismail said.

The New Yorker

Who would know?

The Guardian - Opinion

Who would know the difference?

The New York Times

Who would know better than he?

The New York Times - Travel

But in today's Kremlinology, who would know?

The New York Times

Who would know what to do?

The New York Times

Who would know about this "secret state"?

The Guardian - Books

He is 33 but who would know it?

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Marketing Land |  A must-read about Google's search problems and its issues with trust, by someone who would know.

The New York Times

Even if Mr. Mortensen's Freud is nothing like the father of psychoanalysis — who would know?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "who would know" to introduce a sense of mystery or uncertainty about a situation. It's effective when you want to imply that the answer is either unknown or unknowable.

Common error

Avoid using "who would know" in direct questions where a simple "I don't know" would suffice. It's more impactful as a rhetorical device or when implying a deeper lack of knowledge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "who would know" functions as an interrogative clause, often used rhetorically. Ludwig confirms that the phrase poses a question but expects no answer, highlighting uncertainty or the obscurity of information. Examples in Ludwig show it questioning expertise, awareness, or even the possibility of knowledge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "who would know" is a versatile phrase primarily used to express uncertainty or skepticism, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as an interrogative clause but often serves a rhetorical purpose, challenging assumptions or highlighting the difficulty of obtaining information. While adaptable to various contexts, including news, science and business, it is predominantly found in News & Media. When considering alternatives, prioritize phrases like ""who is to say"" or ""how would anyone know"" to accurately convey the intended nuance. Remember, the power of "who would know" lies in its ability to introduce a sense of mystery or question the limits of knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

who could possibly know

Emphasizes the impossibility of anyone possessing the knowledge.

who is to say

Highlights the subjectivity and lack of definitive answer.

how would anyone know

Focuses on the lack of means for gaining knowledge.

who can be certain

Stresses the absence of certainty or assurance.

who is aware

Questions the state of being informed or conscious.

who might understand

Suggests the possibility of someone comprehending.

who else would be informed

Implies that knowledge is restricted to a select group.

who could ascertain

Questions the ability to find something out for certain.

is anyone privy to this information

Formally asks if anyone is part of the loop or knows the information.

whose expertise applies

Questions if anyone is qualified to know or judge.

FAQs

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

"Who would know" is often used as a rhetorical question to express doubt or uncertainty. For example: "They say the economy is improving, but "who would know" from looking at these unemployment figures?"

What phrases are similar to "who would know"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "who is to say", "how would anyone know", or "who could possibly know", each implying a slightly different nuance of uncertainty or lack of information.

Is "who would know" formal or informal?

The phrase "who would know" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the overall tone and style of your writing or speech. It is generally considered neutral.

What's the difference between "who would know" and "who knows"?

"Who knows" expresses a simple lack of knowledge or certainty about something. "Who would know", on the other hand, often implies that the answer is inherently difficult or impossible to ascertain. It suggests a deeper level of uncertainty.