without really knowing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without really knowing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a lack of complete understanding or awareness about something while still engaging in an action or making a statement. Example: "She made a decision without really knowing all the facts, which later led to complications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She was angry "without really knowing why I was angry".

Los Angeles Times

The whole world knows her without really knowing her," says the introduction to the film.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

People who know of the troupe without really knowing its work tend to link it to political street theater of the 1960s, an accurate but incomplete association.

The New York Times

"And Violet," Marjorie said, without really knowing why.

The New Yorker

"I'm doing this film wholeheartedly, without really knowing if it's going to succeed," she said.

The New Yorker

There were lots of things he did without really knowing the reason.

The New Yorker

This is what he said, without really knowing what he was saying: "It doesn't feel good".

The New Yorker

She'd spent almost a decade in Pahrump without really knowing why.

The Washington Post

I sidled into journalism without really knowing what skills, qualifications or experience were required.

The Guardian - Money

Third, without really knowing it, Trump has presented a secular version of evangelical eschatology.

The Washington Post

Meanwhile, Labour demanded – and failed to get – a delay, without really knowing what it was for.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without really knowing" to indicate a partial lack of understanding or awareness, suggesting some level of knowledge exists but is incomplete. For example, 'She started the project "without really knowing" the challenges ahead', implying she had some idea but not a full grasp.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "without really knowing" can sound informal in academic or professional contexts. Opt for phrases like "without fully understanding" or "lacking a complete understanding" to maintain a more formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without really knowing" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause, indicating a lack of full awareness or understanding during an action or event. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "without really knowing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that indicates a partial lack of understanding or awareness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers several real-world examples demonstrating its use. While versatile and appropriate for many contexts, it might be wise to consider more formal alternatives, such as "without fully understanding", in academic or professional settings. This ensures a consistently polished and authoritative tone in one's writing. Remember to consider the nuances of your intended meaning when choosing between "without really knowing" and phrases that express a more complete absence of knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without a clear understanding

Substitutes "really knowing" with a clearer emphasis on the absence of understanding.

without full awareness

Replaces "really knowing" with a more formal expression of awareness.

not fully understanding

Breaks down the phrase into a more explicit statement of comprehension.

unknowingly

Highlights the absence of awareness during an action, offering a more direct synonym.

lacking complete comprehension

Uses more formal vocabulary to express a deficiency in understanding.

not truly conscious of

Shifts the focus to a lack of conscious awareness, a more profound lack of knowledge.

unintentionally

Focuses on the lack of intent behind an action, differing from a lack of knowledge.

oblivious to the implications

Highlights ignorance of potential consequences, a specific type of unknowing.

inadvertently

Emphasizes the accidental nature of an action, moving away from knowledge.

naively

Implies acting with innocence and a lack of experience, closely related to not knowing.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "without really knowing" to sound more formal?

Consider using more formal alternatives such as "without fully understanding", "lacking a complete understanding", or "without a clear understanding depending on the specific context.

Is it ever acceptable to use "without really knowing" in professional writing?

While generally acceptable, it's often better to opt for more formal alternatives like "without a thorough understanding" or "absent a complete awareness" in professional contexts to maintain a polished and authoritative tone.

What's the difference between "without really knowing" and "without even knowing"?

"Without really knowing" implies a partial lack of awareness, while "without even knowing" suggests a complete absence of knowledge or awareness. The first suggests some level of familiarity, however incomplete, while the second indicates total ignorance.

How to use "without really knowing" in a sentence?

You can use "without really knowing" to indicate that someone is doing something with incomplete knowledge or understanding. For example: "She accepted the job offer without really knowing what she was getting into."