bekanntlich
as is well known
Used to introduce a fact that one assumes is generally known.
EXAMPLE
Geduld ist bekanntlich eine Tugend.
Patience, as is well known, is a virtue.
bekanntlich
as is well known
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word structure
The adverb 'bekanntlich' (as is well known) is derived from the adjective 'bekannt' (known). The ending '-lich' turns the adjective into an adverb meaning 'in a known way.'
EXAMPLE
Der Mount Everest ist der bekanntlich höchste Berg der Welt.
Mount Everest is, as is well known, the highest mountain in the world.
Sentence position
'Bekanntlich' (as is well known) can stand in two typical positions in a sentence. Either in position 1, in which case the verb follows immediately (inversion), or inside the sentence, usually directly after the conjugated verb.
EXAMPLE
Bekanntlich schläft unser Hund sehr viel.
As is well known, our dog sleeps a lot.
Unser Hund schläft bekanntlich sehr viel.
Our dog, as is well known, sleeps a lot.
Usage note
With 'bekanntlich' (as is well known), you signal that you assume the information is not new to the listeners or readers. It creates a shared knowledge base.
EXAMPLE
Rom wurde bekanntlich nicht an einem Tag erbaut.
Rome, as is well known, was not built in a day.
In real life
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