TextRanch

The best way to perfect your writing.

Discover why 1,062,726 users count on TextRanch to get their English corrected!

1. Input your text below.
2. Get it corrected in a few minutes by our editors.
3. Improve your English!

One of our experts will correct your English.

How do you know? vs how can you know?

Both "how do you know?" and "how can you know?" are correct phrases in English. They are both used to inquire about someone's knowledge or understanding of a situation. The choice between them depends on the context and the level of certainty or possibility the speaker wants to convey.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 895 views

How do you know?

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to ask about someone's knowledge or understanding of a situation.

This phrase is used to inquire about the basis or source of someone's knowledge. It is a straightforward question seeking information.

Examples:

How do you know the answer to that question?
How do you know he will be late?
How do you know she is telling the truth?
How do you know what to do in this situation?
How do you know where to find the keys?

Show examples from the web [+]

I said, "How do you know?"
(Derek) How do you know?
Yes. How do you know?
Then I'd say, "How do you know?"
But never to exist again? -How do you know?
"He's not in Napa, he's at the ice factory," he'll say, "How do you know?"
and he said, "How do you know?" I said, "I heard it!"
Abraham, how do you know?
Vincent, how do you know?
Look, how do you know?
Lost works, but how do you know?
Dean, how do you know?
But it was anonymous, how do you know?
Helen, how do you know?
I mean, how do you know?
Come on, how do you know?
But my question is, how do you know?
Seriously, how do you know?
The question is, how do you know?
- If you're not thinking it, how do you know?

Alternatives:

How did you find out?
How did you come to know?
How do you have that information?
How do you have that knowledge?
How do you have that insight?

how can you know?

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to question the possibility or feasibility of someone knowing something.

This phrase is used to express doubt or surprise about someone's knowledge or understanding of a situation. It implies a sense of wonder or skepticism.

Examples:

How can you know what will happen next?
How can you know what's in his mind?
How can you know the outcome already?
How can you know the truth?
How can you know the future?

Show examples from the web [+]

If I'm not sure of that myself, how can you know?
You think it tastes good, but how can you know?
How can you know for sure?
How can you know all about photosynthesis?
So l said: "How can you know that?"
How can you know what I think?
How can you know I'm here?
Angela, how can you know me so well?
If you won't speak, how can you know my heart?
You two are always talking, how can you not know?
How can any of you not know?
You're a grown man, how can you not know?
How can I know what you know?
How can you not want to know?
But how well can you really know someone?
How can you not know Gregory Peck?
How can you not know their names?
My dear Doctor, how can you possibly know that?
With respect, how can you possibly know that?
How can you not know, son?

Alternatives:

How is it possible that you know?
How could you possibly know?
How do you have that insight?
How do you have that information?
How do you have that knowledge?

Related Comparisons

What Our Customers Are Saying

Our customers love us! We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283,125 votes.
Also check out our 2,100+ reviews on TrustPilot (4.9).

"Thank you!"
Sachi Nakama July 2024
"I have literally been through chat, PI, claude, bard and bing and I got conflicting answers! Thank you! Human intelligence reigns!"
Retha July 2024
"Faster than AI"
CYNTHIA December 2023
"This was very helpful and I personally think this site is the best."
Kaden October 2023
"It was extremely thorough and very helpful!"
imperialelisa October 2023
"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"
Zubair Alam October 2023
"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."
Selena October 2023
"Without textranch I would be stuck!"
宏祐 October 2023
"Accuracy and fast response. Personal comments from editor. Thank you."
Clh September 2023
"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"
Arturo September 2023
"The fact that you can get reliable fast feedback on your texts."
Vinicius Antonio August 2023
"you guys are better than grammarly i'm being honest here"
ordinary July 2023
"OMG! This is really good than any other text correction tools I've used so far. Highly recommend this."
Vehan July 2023
"Very fast and accurate. thank you."
mojtaba July 2023
"I love this app because it's help to writing skills all of students ♥️"
Tarisini July 2023
"This was exactly the mistake I was looking for, the wording dind´t sound right at first. Better than grammarly!"
Ente July 2023
"The immediate help that I received was reassuring and very satisfactory. Thanks."
priiiyanshuu July 2023
"this helps A LOT for my studies."
kathnunez02 June 2023
"Woow!! I would never have expected such precision! Thank you soooo much!!"
Berta June 2023
"Real Time Editor and not AI. Many Thanks."
Priya June 2023
"The very first thing excites me about Textranch is how much your editors care."
sepideh June 2023
"The fact that texts are checked by human editors rather than by AI, etc. I appreciate this!"
Анна June 2023
"Feel welcome, immediate response, high quality feedback"
martin.roy June 2023
"This is the best app that I have ever seen"
Burulai May 2023

Why choose TextRanch?

Lowest prices
Up to 50% lower than other online editing sites.

Fastest Times
Our team of editors is working for you 24/7.

Qualified Editors
Native English experts for UK or US English.

Top Customer Service
We are here to help. Satisfaction guaranteed!