KNOW

verb [I or T, not continuous ] A1 • synonyms: be aware of, understand, realize • know something about someone/something; know (that)...; know how/what/where/when/why... • freq in AmE: 10/10

(HAVE INFORMATION) to have information, facts, or awareness about something in your mind; to be certain or sure about something

verb [T ] A1 • synonyms: be acquainted with, be familiar with • get to know someone/something; know someone/something well; know someone for years • freq in AmE: 10/10

(BE FAMILIAR WITH) to be familiar or acquainted with a person, place, or thing through experience or contact💡This meaning is about familiarity through experience, not just information.

grammar pattern with know verb [I ] A2 (know-knew-known) 💡The word "that" is optional and often omitted in informal speech: "I know she's coming." • freq in AmE: 10/10

to have information or be aware of a fact, often introducing a clause stating what you know

grammar pattern with know verb [I ] A2 (know-knew-known) • know what/where/how/why/when/who..., etc. [know + question words] • freq in AmE: 10/10

to have information about a specific question word (what, where, how, why, when, who)

grammar pattern with know verb [I or T ] A2 • know (much/a lot/little/nothing/anything/something) about something • what do you know about...?; I don't know much about...; she knows a lot about...; do you know anything about...? • freq in AmE: 10/10

to have information or knowledge concerning a particular topic or subject; this construction emphasizes general knowledge or familiarity with a topic rather than specific facts

grammar pattern with know verb [I ] A2 (know-knew-known) • know of any... ⚠️Note: "Know of" = aware of existence. "Know" = personal familiarity. This is DIFFERENT from just "know": "I know him" = personal familiarity, "I know of him" = aware he exists.

to be aware that someone or something exists; to have heard about someone or something (but not necessarily know them/it well)

grammar pattern with know verb [I ] A2 (know-knew-known)💡"Know how to" expresses ability/skill. Often interchangeable with "can" but emphasizes learned knowledge • freq in AmE: 10/10

to have the knowledge, skill, or ability to do something; to be able to do something

grammar pattern with know verb [T ] A2 (know-knew-known) • take time to get to know someone; want to get to know someone; we got to know each other • freq in AmE: 10/10

to gradually become familiar or acquainted with someone; to learn about someone through interaction

grammar pattern with know verb [T ] A2 (know-knew-known) • let me know when...; please let her know...; I'll let you know...; let us know if... • freq in AmE: 10/10

to inform or tell someone something; to make someone aware of information

grammar pattern with know verb [T ] A2 (know-knew-known) • freq in AmE: 9/10

to be very familiar with someone or something; to have deep or thorough knowledge

idiom C2 • should know better; old enough to know better💡Often used to criticize or express disappointment when someone does something they shouldn't • freq in AmE: 8/10

to be wise or experienced enough not to do something foolish; to have learned from experience

collocation with know verb [I ] B1 (know-knew-known)💡"For sure" and "for certain" are interchangeable and emphasize absolute certainty. • freq in AmE: 9/10

to be completely certain or confident about something; to have no doubt

collocation with know verb [I or T ] A1 (know-knew-known)💡One of THE most common phrases in English. Often shortened to "I dunno" in casual speech • freq in AmE: 10/10

a common phrase expressing lack of knowledge or information; used when you don't have an answer

collocation with know verb [I ] A1 (know-knew-known)💡Very common conversational filler. Not literally asking if they know - just a speech habit • freq in AmE: 10/10

a conversational filler used to check understanding, emphasize a point, or fill pauses in speech

collocation with know verb [I ] A1 (know-knew-known) 💡"As far as I know" = within my knowledge limits. "As you know" = referencing shared knowledge. • freq in AmE: 10/10

phrases used to indicate the limits of one's knowledge or to reference shared knowledge

idiomatic phrase with know verb [I ] B1 (know-knew-known)💡Often used to encourage someone or express hope that something good might happen despite uncertainty • freq in AmE: 9/10

a phrase expressing that future outcomes are uncertain; anything could happen

idiom, exclamation with know verb [I ] B1 (know-knew-known)💡This is NOT literally asking what they know - it's an exclamation of surprise. Similar to "would you look at that!"

an informal expression of surprise or amazement; used when encountering something unexpected

idiom with know verb [I ] B1 rhetorical question • synonym: how am I supposed to know? • freq in AmE: 9/10

a rhetorical question expressing that you have no way of knowing something; often used defensively or with irritation💡This is rhetorical - not actually asking HOW to know. Often implies mild irritation or defensiveness.

collocation with know verb [I ] B2 (know-knew-known)💡 often used in passive voice • be known to be something • freq in AmE: 8/10

to have knowledge or understanding that someone or something has a particular quality or characteristic

collocation with know verb [I ] B2 (know-knew-known)💡often used in passive voice • be known to do something • freq in AmE: 8/10

to have knowledge or evidence that someone or something performs a particular action or has a tendency to act in a certain way

collocation with know verb [I ] B2💡often used in passive voice ⚠️This is a more formal construction than simple "know that they have..." This appears in: formal descriptions, professional contexts, geographical facts, and character references.

to have knowledge that someone or something possesses a particular quality, feature, or characteristic💡More formal construction. Often used in formal writing or professional contexts.

grammar pattern with know verb [T ] A2 (know-knew-known) • 💡know + common quantifiers: something (positive statements), anything (questions/negatives), nothing (complete lack), a little/a lot (specific amounts) + about + topic/person • US freq: 10/10

to have some information or knowledge concerning a person, topic, or situation (emphasizes partial or specific knowledge)

grammar pattern with know verb [T ] B2 💡 The “to” is OPTIONAL. “I’ve never known it snow” = “I’ve never known it to snow.” Both are correct.

to have experience or awareness of someone or something performing an action (the “to” is optional)

grammar pattern with know verb [T ] B1 passive voice • this period is known as...; the city is known as... • freq in AmE: 10/10

to be called, referred to, or recognized by a particular name, title, or description

grammar pattern with know verb [T ] B2 passive voice 💡 It is an extended form of “be known as” that specifies WHO recognizes or calls the person/thing by that name or description.

to be recognized or called by a particular name or description by specific people

grammar pattern with know verb [T ] B2 passive voice

to be identified or recognized by a particular characteristic, feature, or name

grammar pattern with know verb [T ] B2 passive voice 💡 Often with “has/have been known to...” This suggests occasional or characteristic behavior, not always.

to have a reputation or be recognized for doing something (often habitually or characteristically)