Cool MateAs far as I know vs Last i heard
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
As far as I know
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Last i heard
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Last i heardMost common: Last i heard
| As far as I know | Last i heard | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //əz fɑːr æz aɪ nəʊ//🇺🇸 //əz fɑːr æz aɪ noʊ// | 🇬🇧 //lɑːst aɪ hɜːd//🇺🇸 //læst aɪ hɜrd// |
| Meaning | What I understand to be true based on my knowledge. | The most recent information I got. |
| Example | As far as I know, the meeting is still scheduled for tomorrow. | Last I heard, she was working at the new cafe downtown. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | as far as I know, as far as I can tell, as far as I remember | last I heard about, last I heard from, last I heard of |
| Common mistakes | Using it in formal writing contexts where precise language is preferred., Confusing it with 'as much as I know', which is less common., Not using a comma before it if it starts a sentence. | Using 'last I heard' with non-past contexts., 'Last I've heard' is often incorrectly used instead of the correct past form., Omitting to specify the subject when necessary. |
| Usage notes | 'As far as I know' is casual and often used in conversation to express uncertainty or limitations in knowledge. It's not usually appropriate for formal writing. | Used to refer to the latest information someone has. It can be informal when used in conversation. Avoid using in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: As far as I know vs Last i heard
What's the difference between As far as I know and Last i heard?
As far as I know: What I understand to be true based on my knowledge. Last i heard: The most recent information I got.
Which is more formal: As far as I know and Last i heard?
Last i heard is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: As far as I know and Last i heard?
Last i heard is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
As far as I know: As far as I know, the meeting is still scheduled for tomorrow. Last i heard: Last I heard, she was working at the new cafe downtown.
Can I use As far as I know and Last i heard interchangeably?
Not always. As far as I know and Last i heard are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.