you thought you knew vs you thought you already knew

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'You thought you knew' is more general and can be used when someone realizes they were mistaken about something they thought they understood. 'You thought you already knew' is more specific and implies that the person believed they had prior knowledge of something. The choice between the two depends on the level of detail and emphasis you want to convey.

Last updated: March 24, 2024 • 1853 views

you thought you knew

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used when someone realizes they were mistaken about something they thought they understood.

Show examples from the web [+]

Mourning the death of someone you thought you knew is complicated enough when the spy was a trusted colleague or friend.
And you thought you knew it all even then.
It's hard when what you knew or what you thought you knew about the world... no longer holds.
The girl you thought you knew was quite nameless and without reality.
The solid ground beneath you sweeps away the quicksand, along with all you thought you knew.
You're questioning everything you thought you knew about yourself.
Something like this makes you question everything you thought you knew.
Things that challenge everything you thought you knew.
Forget everything you thought you knew about ab workouts.
It was amazing watching those people that you thought you knew go over to the Cylons.
You were saying you thought you knew who the saboteur might be.
And fourth, someone has something you thought you knew everything about, but they're introducing a new angle of looking at it.
You blew up my deal and ruined a friendship because you thought you knew better than me.
You need to stop thinking about Toby as the person that you thought you knew and start looking at him for who he really is.
But I was wrong, and everything you thought you knew about us is wrong.
And lest you thought you knew just how evil and devious he was, you will hear of schemes almost impossible to believe.
When someone you love, someone you thought you knew Turns out to be someone else.
I'm the man you thought you knew. I'm the man you know.
How the man you thought you knew so well could betray you so completely?
You thought you knew what you were doing.

Alternatives:

you thought you understood
you believed you knew

you thought you already knew

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is more specific and implies that the person believed they had prior knowledge of something.

Show examples from the web [+]

So, why would I pull you to one side and tell you something I thought you already knew?
I thought you already knew the others.
I thought you already knew everything that went on in this hospital.
I thought maybe you already knew where she was.
Thought you guys already knew that he was retiring.
I thought I already knew what that was.
She thought I already knew, being the proud father.
You just said "wants to be paralyzed," But you used to say that you thought you already were.
But I'm sure you already knew that.
But I think you already knew that.
I'm Taylor Beecham, but you already knew that.
But, of course, you already knew that.
You just gave it to her like you already knew.
Blood belongs to a woman, but I'm guessing you already knew that.
You already knew that I spent time in Rick's tent.
So, you already knew about this.
I wonder if you already knew...
You already knew where the victim's head was buried.
You asked us why the book got your wife killed, but you already knew.
You already knew that he didn't want you.

Alternatives:

you thought you already understood
you believed you already knew

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you thought you knew vs you thought you already knew