“Know” vs. “Know Of”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “know” and “know of”

  • When you "know" someone, you have a personal or professional connection with them, whereas if you "know of" someone, you are aware of their existence but have not spoken to them before.
  • "Know" implies a personal connection or experience with someone or something, whereas "know of" does not.
  • "Know of" suggests a more limited or superficial knowledge of something, whereas "know" implies a more comprehensive understanding.
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What is the definition of “know” and “know of”?

Know
  • It means having information or being aware of something.
  • It often involves personal experience or familiarity with a person, place, or thing.
  • It can also refer to a deep understanding or knowledge about a specific topic or subject matter.
Know of
  • It means to have heard or learned about something or someone.
  • It does not necessarily involve personal experience or familiarity with the subject.
  • It can also imply a superficial or limited understanding of the topic.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Know” is the more popular variant on the web.
More popular
Know
10,790,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. I know Barbara from the golf club I go to on Saturdays.
  2. I know how to swim.
  3. Do you know the man who's waving to us?
Know of
214,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. I know of Ethan from marketing, but I've never talked to him.
  2. I know of a great restaurant in the city.
  3. He knows of my love for chocolate.
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