you definitely know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "you definitely know" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize a fact that you think the listener is already aware of. For example, "You definitely know the importance of studying hard for an exam".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

You definitely know he's in charge".

The New York Times - Sports

"You definitely know your place as a player," Piazza said.

The New York Times - Sports

"You definitely know you want to come down and run the same play.

The New York Times - Sports

You may not have heard of Danny Fields, but you definitely know his friends.

The Guardian - Film

Perhaps you haven't registered her straight stuff yet, but you definitely know her comedy.

The Guardian

In the words of one longtime executive, "You definitely know there's a new sheriff in town".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

If you've been to university, you definitely knew an Anna.

The Guardian - Opinion

You definitely knew the other mall Santas.

Vice

Not for one moment did you confuse the individual and very skillful hand of each artist involved in the show, but you definitely knew that these artists had been systematically and methodically selected by the same heart.

Huffington Post

Again, you don't have to be nicey-nice-nice, but when you are acting like a fucking bitch you should definitely know you are.

Vice

You will definitely know some things you didn't know before eating this.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In persuasive writing, use "you definitely know" to remind your audience of commonly accepted truths, building a foundation for your argument.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "you definitely know", as it can become repetitive and condescending. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "you definitely know" functions as an assertion of shared knowledge or assumed familiarity. It's used to emphasize a point or create a connection with the audience by suggesting they are already aware of something. Ludwig AI confirms this use through numerous real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

23%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "you definitely know" is a commonly used expression to imply shared knowledge or agreement with the audience. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and versatile, fitting well in News & Media contexts, while less frequent in formal academic writing. When writing, you can use it to create a connection by referencing something your audience is likely to already know, reinforcing your message by implying shared understanding. However, be mindful of overuse, which can make your writing repetitive and perhaps condescending.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

you certainly know

Replaces "definitely" with "certainly", maintaining a high degree of certainty but with a slight difference in tone.

you surely know

Substitutes "definitely" with "surely", implying a confident assumption that the listener is aware.

you undoubtedly know

Uses "undoubtedly" instead of "definitely" to convey a strong sense of certainty and lack of doubt.

you absolutely know

Employs "absolutely" to emphasize the certainty of the listener's knowledge.

you must know

Conveys an expectation that the listener is aware of something, though slightly less emphatic than "definitely know".

you are aware

A more formal way of expressing the assumption that the listener possesses certain knowledge.

you already know

Indicates that the information is presumed to be previously known by the listener.

i'm sure you know

Shifts the emphasis to the speaker's certainty rather than directly asserting the listener's knowledge.

i expect you know

Similar to "I'm sure you know" but carries a tone of expectation or mild insistence.

it's safe to say you know

Implies that it is a reasonable assumption that the listener has knowledge of the topic.

FAQs

How can I use "you definitely know" in a sentence?

Use "you definitely know" to refer to something the person you're talking to is likely to be familiar with. For example, "You definitely know the importance of backing up your data regularly."

What phrases are similar to "you definitely know"?

Similar phrases include "you certainly know", "you surely know", or "you undoubtedly know", which all convey a strong sense of certainty or assumed knowledge.

Is it okay to use "you definitely know" in formal writing?

While acceptable, "you definitely know" is generally more suited for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise or nuanced language to convey the same meaning.

What's the difference between "you definitely know" and "you probably know"?

"You definitely know" implies a higher degree of certainty about the listener's knowledge, whereas "you probably know" suggests a possibility but not a certainty. The choice depends on how confident you are about the listener's awareness.