New vs Knew
What’s the difference between them?
New
Meaning:
not existing before; made, introduced, or discovered recently or now for the first time.
Examples:
1. I just bought a new car.
2. She's wearing a new dress.
3. We are starting a new project this week.
Knew
Meaning:
To have knowledge of; to be aware of something; to understand.
Examples:
1. She knew the answer to the question before anyone else.
2. He knew he had made a mistake as soon as he said it.
3. She knew she had arrived when she saw the familiar street sign.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
New
1. Fresh
2. Recent
3. Modern
4. Up-to-date
5. Just out
1. Old
2. Destroy
3. Unfamiliar
4. End
5. Opposite
Knew
1. Understood
2. Grasped
3. Recognized
4. Acquainted
5. Had knowledge of
1. Ignorant
2. Unaware
3. Unfamiliar
4. Uninformed
5. Had no idea
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "New", "Knew".
1. 'New' is an adjective that means something that has not been experienced before.
2. 'Knew' is the past tense of the verb 'to know' meaning that the person was aware of a fact beforehand.
3. To help distinguish the two words, think of the phrase 'knew it all along' – this should remind you that 'knew' is the past tense of the verb 'to know.'
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
When should the word 'new' be used?
New should typically be used when referencing something that has just been introduced or recently discovered. It can also be used to indicate something that has been replaced, like a new model of a car.
When is the appropriate context for using the word 'knew'?
Knew should generally be used when referring to something that was known at an earlier time. For example, if you already had prior knowledge of something, you would say that you 'knew' of it.
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
Yes, these words have similar pronunciation, so you have pay attention to the context to use the correct word.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
A common mistake people make is using 'new' instead of 'knew,' and vice versIt's important to remember that although the words sound the same, they are not interchangeable. In order to use them correctly, you must first understand the context in which they are meant to be used.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. I had never seen her before, but I ________ she was going to be trouble.
2. She ________ all the right answers to the questions the teacher asked.
3. I wasnt sure what to do, but then I had a ________ idea.
4. I ________ the answer to that question; I had learned it in school.
5. The book was so interesting, I ________ I was going to read it all in one night.
6. When I first saw the painting, I ________ it was something special.
1. Knew
Explanation: This word is used to refer to having some awareness that something is going to happen before it does. It implies the speaker has some premonition or feeling that the situation will be problematic.
2. Knew
Explanation: This word is used to refer to having a clear understanding of something. It implies the speaker has the answer readily available.
3. New
Explanation: This word is used to describe something that is unfamiliar or not previously experienced. It implies the speaker has a creative and unique idea.
4. Knew
Explanation: This word is used to refer to having a prior knowledge of something. It implies the speaker has some prior information that they can recall.
5. New
Explanation: This word is used to describe something that is fresh and untested. It implies the speaker has not encountered the book before and is looking forward to the experience.
6. Knew
Explanation: This word is used to refer to having a sense of certainty about something. It implies the speaker had an immediate understanding of the paintings quality.
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Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.
List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.