didn't know any better vs didn't know better

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'Didn't know any better' is used when someone makes a mistake due to lack of knowledge or experience. 'Didn't know better' is used when someone makes a mistake but should have known better based on their knowledge or experience.

Last updated: March 29, 2024 • 842 views

didn't know any better

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to indicate that someone made a mistake due to lack of knowledge or experience.

Examples:

He didn't know any better, so he made the wrong choice.
She didn't know any better than to trust him.

Show examples from the web [+]

If I didn't know any better, I'd think you almost want to get caught.
Sam Wilson, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to hustle me out of here.
I mean, if I didn't know any better, I'd swear you guys were totally doing each other.
If I didn't know any better, I'd think she senses my presence.
Because if I didn't know any better, I'd say that you look a little nervous.
If I didn't know any better, Mrs. Isaacs, I'd think you actually want this job.
Raylan, if I didn't know any better, your tone might suggest you doubt the power of my feminine wiles.
But, I'll tell you, if I didn't know any better, I'd have said a wild animal did it.
You know, if I didn't know any better, smallville, I'd think you were worried about me.
And I didn't know any better.
She said he didn't know any better.
Dude, if I didn't know any better...
But I didn't know any better then.
If I didn't know any better, I'd swear this whole thing was just for publicity.
If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were making it hard to become a citizen on purpose.
If I didn't know any better, I'd think Kenny Powers is afraid to throw a baseball.
If I didn't know any better, I would start to say that you are using me for my body.
And if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were a pirate.
If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were training an army.
He taught me killing and stealing, and I didn't know any better.

Alternatives:

didn't know better
didn't know any different
didn't know any other way
didn't know any different
didn't know any worse

didn't know better

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to indicate that someone made a mistake but should have known better based on their knowledge or experience.

Examples:

He didn't know better than to leave his keys in the car.
She didn't know better than to eat the expired food.

Show examples from the web [+]

If l didn't know better, I'd be bursting with admiration.
Unlike Nelson, he didn't know better.
I'd throw me out, too, if l didn't know better.
Just because you didn't know better than to take a naked selfie while you were in the coldest part of the country...
Anyone who didn't know better might think you were in love with Octavia.
You know, McPhee, if l didn't know better I'd think that you were trying to avoid being alone with me.
Bet it has been, to fellas who didn't know better.
He didn't know better, that smile, that swagger.

Alternatives:

should have known better
could have done better
ought to have known better
should have done better
could have known better

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didn't know any better vs didn't know better