We all knew vs we all know

Both "we all knew" and "we all know" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "We all knew" is past tense, indicating that everyone had knowledge in the past. "We all know" is present tense, indicating that everyone currently has knowledge.

Last updated: April 06, 2024 • 1059 views

This phrase is correct as it is the past tense of "know." It indicates that everyone had knowledge in the past.

"We all knew"

Use "we all knew" when referring to a situation in the past where everyone had knowledge.

Examples:

We all knew the answer to the question.
Before the announcement, we all knew what was going to happen.
At that moment, we all knew we had made a mistake.
Despite the secrecy, we all knew the truth.
When the news broke, we all knew it was serious.

Show examples from the web [+]

We all knew that we would need to eliminate the Russians one day.
We all knew what we had to do.
We all knew Emolia was snitching to lad.
We all knew you were in Las Cruces.
We all knew there was someone else.
We all knew that this changeover from duality to Oneness would come.
We all knew what it would take to free Onderon.
We all knew it was him.
We all knew Barnes was there.
We all knew that it was a kid.
We all knew that there were going to be risks.
We all knew any mistake on this pitch could be catastrophic.
We all knew he'd been upstate.
We all knew that something terrible was imminent.
We all knew it was a long shot.
We all knew she was going to go.
We all knew there was a clock when we signed on.
We all knew that it was difficult for you.
We all knew that the eurozone was not an optimum currency area.
We all knew they would be difficult and lengthy.

Alternatives:

we all know
we all understand
we all were aware
we all comprehended
we all realized

This phrase is correct as it is the present tense of "know." It indicates that everyone currently has knowledge.

"we all know"

Use "we all know" when referring to a situation in the present where everyone has knowledge.

Examples:

We all know the answer to the question.
In this class, we all know the rules.
After the training, we all know how to use the software.
As a team, we all know our roles and responsibilities.
Despite the confusion, we all know what needs to be done.

Show examples from the web [+]

And we all know what a challenge that is.
But we all know how important family is to William Vanderbilt.
Here we all know what that means.
Space, we all know what it looks like.
And we all know how Lord Dingwall broke the enemy line.
Well, we all know what happens to non-entities.
But we all know what that day will bring.
I think we all know who that body is.
I think we all know who he meant by that.
And we all know he's a rogue.
Harris, we all know Chelyabinsk was a necessity.
And we all know that dating older men has its downsides.
And we all know he hated your guts.
But we all know how the first time went.
Look, we all know why we're here.
But we all know that you're not Katherine.
And we all know what Saturdays are all about.
Right, well we all know that Bones is not normal.
Yes, because we all know how pressed for time the homeless are.
I think we all know how the talking stick works.

Alternatives:

we all knew
we all understood
we all were aware
we all comprehended
we all realized

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