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Prepositions after adjectives

Unknown to, in, for, at, or outside?

Unknown most commonly takes to. Other prepositions may introduce place, field, or time expressions rather than fixed adjective patterns.

Quick answer

The main preposition after unknown

Use unknown to for information not known by a person or group. Unknown in can refer to a field or place where someone is not recognised. Unknown at and unknown outside usually describe location or context rather than a fixed pattern. Unknown for is uncommon.

The plan was unknown to the public.
She remained unknown in academic circles.
The artist is unknown outside Japan.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
unknown to + person/group

Not known by someone

Use unknown to for information or people that others do not know about.

His past was unknown to his colleagues.
The risks were unknown to investors.
2
unknown in + place/field

Not recognised within a context

Use unknown in for a place, industry, or field where someone lacks recognition.

The writer was largely unknown in Europe.
3
unknown outside + place/group

Not recognised beyond a limit

Outside introduces the area beyond which something is not known.

The tradition is largely unknown outside the region.
4
unknown at + time/place

Adding a separate time or place phrase

At usually functions as a normal place or time adjunct, not a fixed complement of unknown.

The cause was unknown at the time.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
unknown to
The arrangement was unknown to staff.
staff did not know about it
unknown in
He was unknown in the local music scene.
not recognised within a field or place
unknown outside
The brand is unknown outside Asia.
not known beyond a region
unknown at
The facts were unknown at that stage.
at introduces time or stage
unknown for
The village is unknown for tourism.
nonstandard; use unknown to tourists or not known for tourism

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using unknown for instead of known for

Unknown for is usually not the intended structure in English.

✕ The town is unknown for its beaches. ✓ The town is not known for its beaches.

Confusing unknown to and unknown in

Use to for the people who lack knowledge and in for the place or field where someone lacks recognition.

✕ She is unknown to the art world. ✓ She is unknown in the art world.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The agreement was unknown ___ most employees.
2. The actor was still unknown ___ Hollywood.
3. The custom is unknown ___ the country.

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Frequently asked questions

Is unknown for correct?

It is uncommon and often replaced by not known for or unknown to.

Can unknown at be correct?

Yes. At usually introduces a time or stage, as in unknown at the time.

What is the difference between unknown to and unknown in?

Unknown to focuses on who lacks knowledge. Unknown in focuses on lack of recognition within a place or field.

ubiquitous in, on, across, throughout or for? "ugly in", "ugly for" or "ugly of"? ultimate in, of, for, on or as? "unacceptable to", "unacceptable in" or "unacceptable for"? unaccounted for unaccustomed to or in? unacquainted with unaffected by, in, for or with? "unaffordable for" or "unaffordable to"? unanimous in, on, about, regarding or for? "unattractive to" or "unattractive for"? "unavailable for" or "unavailable to"?

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