Crazy Verbs! – To Know

Our topic today is the verb “know,” and we’re going to explore various words and phrases that will help you express different degrees and aspects of knowledge. Ready? Let’s begin!

1. Know (Basic Understanding)

We’ll start with the basics. “Know” is a verb we use to talk about being familiar with something or having information about it. For instance:

• I know the capital of France is Paris.
• She knows how to play the guitar.
• Do you know where the nearest supermarket is?

2. Be Familiar With

Another way to talk about knowledge is by saying you’re “familiar with” something. This means you have a general understanding of it:

• I’m familiar with that movie; I’ve seen it before.
• He’s familiar with the topic because he studied it in school.

3. Have Knowledge About

To express having information about a particular subject, you can use the phrase “have knowledge about”:

• She has knowledge about ancient history.
• They have knowledge about different types of cuisine.

4. Know About vs. Know Of

There’s a subtle difference between “know about” and “know of.” “Know about” implies having substantial information, while “know of” means you’re aware of its existence:

• I know about the new project at work.
• I know of the artist, but I haven’t seen their work yet.

5. Know by Heart

When you’ve memorized something completely, you can say you “know it by heart”:

• I know the lyrics by heart; I can sing the whole song without looking at the lyrics.

6. Get to Know

When you’re becoming familiar with someone or something gradually, you “get to know” them:

• I’m excited to get to know my new colleagues.
• We spent the summer getting to know the city’s culture.

7. Know Inside Out

If you know something “inside out,” it means you have a deep and thorough understanding of it:

• She knows the software inside out; she can troubleshoot any issue.

8. Not Know a Thing About

On the flip side, when you have no information about something, you “don’t know a thing about” it:

• I’m sorry, I don’t know a thing about repairing cars.

9. Knowledgeable

To describe someone who has a lot of knowledge in a specific area, you can use the adjective “knowledgeable”:

• She’s very knowledgeable about environmental issues.

10. Familiarize Yourself With

When you’re actively trying to become familiar with something new, you “familiarize yourself with” it:

• I need to familiarize myself with the company’s policies before the meeting.