To our knowledge

You will almost always find this phrase at the very beginning or the very end of a sentence. It sets the stage for the fact you are about to share. For example, if someone asks if a product is back in stock, you might say, To our knowledge, the shipment arrives tomorrow. It sounds much more professional than "I think so." You can also drop it at the end for emphasis: "No other users have reported this bug, to our knowledge." It adds a layer of "we did our homework" to your statement. Use it when you are representing a group, a company, or a team.

This is a heavy hitter in the world of formal and business English. You probably won't hear this at a Saturday night BBQ. If your friend asks if there's more pizza, and you say To our knowledge, the pepperoni is gone, they might think you’ve spent too much time in Zoom meetings. It belongs in emails, official reports, news broadcasts, and job interviews. It sits right between "neutral" and "very formal." It’s the "business casual" of uncertainty—polished, professional, but not overly stiff like a 19th-century law book.

Think about a tech support chat. You ask if your data is safe after a leak. The agent says, To our knowledge, your account was not affected. They are being honest based on the logs they see right now. Or imagine a travel vlogger calling a hotel to ask if the pool is open. The receptionist says, To our knowledge, the repairs are finished. It’s also common in sports news. A reporter might say, To our knowledge, the player has not signed the contract yet. It’s all about reporting the "current truth" while leaving the door open for updates.

Use it when the stakes are medium to high. If you’re a moderator on a Discord server and someone asks if a specific user is banned, To our knowledge, they are still active is a great response. It’s perfect for professional updates, project management, and answering customer inquiries. It’s also useful when you want to sound authoritative but humble. You’re saying "we are experts, but we are also human and rely on data."

Don't use this for personal feelings or obvious facts. You wouldn't say, To our knowledge, I am hungry. That sounds like you have a collective hive-mind in your stomach! Also, avoid it if you actually *are* 100% certain and there is no room for error. If you’re looking right at a red apple, don't say To our knowledge, it is red. You just look like you're trying too hard to sound like a lawyer. Finally, don't use it to hide the fact that you haven't checked at all. That’s just being lazy, not being professional.

One big mistake is mixing up "our" and "my." Use To our knowledge only when speaking for a group. If it’s just you, use To my knowledge. Another common error is adding an 's' to knowledge. ✗ To our knowledges is a one-way ticket to sounding like a confused robot. Stick to the singular. Some people also try to use "in" instead of "to." ✗ In our knowledge is incorrect. It’s always to. Think of it as pointing "to" a destination of information.

If To our knowledge feels a bit too formal, you can try As far as we know. It’s the friendly cousin of our phrase. For something even more intense, use To the best of our knowledge. That "best" adds a layer of "we tried really, really hard to check everything." In very casual settings, like WhatsApp, you might just say AFAWK (As Far As We Know). If you're feeling a bit more modern and tech-focused, you might hear Based on current data or From what we can see.

Is it okay for small businesses? Absolutely! It makes a small team sound organized and professional. Does it sound like I'm lying? Not if you use it honestly. It actually builds trust because it shows you aren't making wild guesses. Can I use it in a text? Only if it's a work-related text. Otherwise, stick to "I think" or "As far as I know." It’s a tool for your professional belt, so use it where it shines!