So, you want to ask someone whether they already know something.
However, you’re worried that “did you know” might be a little informal or rude.
Well, you’ve come to the right place.
This article will teach you other ways to say “did you know.” That way, you will find out the best ways to start a question to see if someone already knows something.
Is It Formal to Say “Did You Know”?
It is formal to say “did you know.” It’s a simple yet effective way to start a question to see whether someone already knows something.
The phrase itself is professional. So, it’s bound to work when you’re starting an email with it.
You can also use it in other situations (like sending a message on LinkedIn). As long as you’re asking a question about someone’s knowledge, this phrase will work well.
Here’s a great email sample to show you more about how to use it:
Dear Harry,
Did you know that they changed the time of the meeting tomorrow?
If not, I’m letting you know now that it’s at 3 rather than 12.
Best regards,
Jon Wallace
Pros
- It’s a professional way to start a question.
- It’s a simple yet effective choice to see whether someone knows something.
Cons
- It’s fairly generic as far as question starters go.
- It’s not the most original phrase, so some people will think you didn’t put much effort into your writing.
There’s nothing wrong with using “did you know” at the start of a question. But it’s also not your only choice! It’s time to look into alternatives to see what else works.
So, keep reading to learn what to say instead of “did you know.” We’ve shared the best synonyms and alternatives to keep things interesting in your writing.
What to Say Instead of “Did You Know”
- Are you aware
- Have you been informed
- Has it come to your attention
- Have you heard
- Did you hear
- Were you made aware
- Have you been told
- Were you advised
- Was it made clear
1. Are You Aware
Let’s start with “are you aware.” This is a formal way to say “did you know” that shows someone you’re interested in seeing whether they already know something.
Generally, it works best in professional emails. It’s a great one to include in the workplace because it shows you’re passing on information while assuming someone may already know.
Try using it when emailing an employee.
You might want to update them, but you know how quickly word travels around the office. So, it’s a good way to share an update, even if the employee has already heard.
Check out this email sample to learn more if you still need help:
Dear Benny,
Are you aware that we have made the following changes?
If not, please review the document in great detail to learn more.
All the best,
Suzanna Redd
2. Have You Been Informed
If you’re still struggling to understand how to rephrase “did you know,” look no further!
You can’t go wrong with “have you been informed.” It’s direct and polite, which is a fantastic combination when trying to write a formal email.
Try using it when emailing a client. It shows that you’re sharing an update with them, and you’d like to figure out how much information they already know.
So, you can check out the following sample email if you’d like to learn more:
Dear Mr. Cabal,
Have you been informed about the new meeting time?
I’ve attached the schedule in case you need a refresher to remind you when it will be.
Warmest regards,
Sam Maxwell
3. Has It Come to Your Attention
Feel free to use “has it come to your attention” instead of “did you know” as well.
Generally, it works well when emailing your employer. It’s respectful and polite, which is best when you’re trying to get your boss’s attention.
Usually, this is a helpful way to share information without assuming anything.
It suggests that you’ve heard something in the workplace and would like to tell your boss. However, you might be unsure whether they’ve already heard it.
So, a phrase like this works well at the start of an email to your boss.
If you’re still unsure how it works, check out this email sample:
Dear Ms. Willis,
Has it come to your attention that we have been discussing this?
I wasn’t sure if you’ve already heard about the situation.
Best,
Daniel Rinse
4. Have You Heard
Another way to say “did you know” is “have you heard.” This time, we want to steer away from email contexts to show you how to use it in text messages.
Feel free to use this when messaging a coworker. It shows you’re chatting with them outside of the workplace and would like to know whether they’ve received an update.
This translates well into texts. It allows you to discuss work-related issues outside of the workplace when they’re relevant.
Also, it helps that the phrase is formal and polite. So, it goes a long way when you’re still trying to keep things formal, even in a text.
Check out these text message samples to learn a bit more:
Have you heard that we’re going through with the new changes? Darryl just told me that it’s going ahead.
Have you heard about this situation? I was wondering if I could get your verdict on it.
5. Did You Hear
Next, you can write “did you hear” instead of “did you know.” Switching “know” to “hear” might seem simple, but it’s a great synonym to help you spice things up.
We recommend using this when texting friends. It’s a useful way to sound more conversational and polite when asking about information.
Again, it suggests that you don’t want to assume someone doesn’t already know something. So, you can start a question like this to find out whether you need to explain something further.
You can review these example messages to learn a bit more:
Did you hear the news about Sarah? I knew there was something going on with her!
Did you hear what they’re going to do with this now? I had no idea they were planning any changes.
6. Were You Made Aware
Going back to something a little more professional, you can use “were you made aware.”
This works best at the start of a business email. It shows that you’re trying to figure out whether someone is already aware of the information you need to share with them.
For instance, you can use this when writing to a client.
It lets them know you’re keeping them in the loop, but you’re unsure whether they’ve already been told about an update. Perhaps someone else in your company got to them first.
So, you can check out this email example to learn how it works:
Dear Miss Click,
Were you made aware of the following changes?
I’ve attached a detailed document that will explain more about them if needed.
Many thanks,
Stuart Little
7. Have You Been Told
Feel free to write “have you been told” instead of “did you know.” This time, it’s good to use it when texting your boss.
You might need to catch them outside of the workplace. Sometimes, you’ll hear information when you’re not in the office, so an email is out of the question.
If you can’t email, you can instead use this in a text. It shows you’re sharing information that you’ve heard. It also implies that you are unsure whether your boss already knows about it.
Overall, the phrase is formal and sincere. So, your boss will be happy to receive a text like this.
Check out these examples to learn more:
Have you been told about Sam’s new idea? I think it would be a good one for you to listen to.
Have you been told about the recent staff meeting? I’m unsure if anyone else spoke to you.
8. Were You Advised
You can write “were you advised” in a business email instead of “did you know.”
This is helpful when keeping things formal and direct. After all, it shows that you’re unsure whether someone already knows what you’re about to tell them.
It tends to work best when emailing an employee. You might have an update for them, but they may have also heard it from a colleague already.
Check out this email example to learn more if you’re still unsure:
Dear Harry,
Were you advised about the following meeting?
I’d like for you to attend it to hear more about what’s to come for your role.
Yours,
Charlotte Meer
9. Was It Made Clear
Another way to say “did you know” without “you” is “was it made clear.” This synonym allows you to find out whether someone was already informed.
Generally, it suggests that someone might know of information from a third party.
It’s a professional and respectful way to determine whether someone already knows what you’re telling them.
Therefore, we recommend using it when emailing a business partner. It shows that you’d like to share some information, but you’re unsure if they’ve already heard it.
Check out the following email sample to learn more:
Dear Ms. Rogers,
Was it made clear that Adam will be taking the meeting?
If not, please be advised that he is going to run through the following topics.
Yours,
Craig Jupiter