Know past tense

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Learn past tenses to communicate in English accurately

Meaning of know

to be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information.

Infinitive

Word: know /noʊ/
Examples:
  • 1. She always knows the answer to difficult math problems.
  • 2. He knows how to make the best chocolate cake.
  • 3. They know when to be serious and when to have fun.

Past Simple

Word: knew /njuː/
Examples:
  • 1. She knew she had left her keys at the office as soon as she reached for her door.
  • 2. Before the teacher asked, he knew the answer to the complex math problem.
  • 3. As soon as they walked into the ancient castle, they knew they were stepping into a piece of history.

Past Participle

Word: known /noʊn/
Examples:
  • 1. The secrets of the ancient manuscript are now known by a select few.
  • 2. A solution to the problem had been known by the team for weeks before they decided to implement it.
  • 3. All the facts were known by the detective before the case was finally solved.

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Bare infinitive

  1. General truths or facts. When stating something that is universally true or a fact that doesn't change over time.
    Example. 'I know the earth orbits the sun.'
    Example. 'She knows how to start her day productively.'
    Example. 'They know the best places to eat in town.'
  2. Habits or routines. To talk about our habits or things we do regularly.
    Example. 'I know the earth orbits the sun.'
    Example. 'She knows how to start her day productively.'
    Example. 'They know the best places to eat in town.'
  3. Situational descriptions. For describing a current, general situation.
    Example. 'I know the earth orbits the sun.'
    Example. 'She knows how to start her day productively.'
    Example. 'They know the best places to eat in town.'

Past Simple

  1. Completed action in the past. When referring to an action or situation that happened at a specific time in the past and is now finished.
    Example. 'He knew the answer yesterday, but he forgot it today.'
    Example. 'We knew each other well in high school.'
    Example. 'They knew it was a bad idea, yet they proceeded anyway.'
  2. Past states or situations. To describe a state or situation that was true at some point in the past but may not be true now.
    Example. 'He knew the answer yesterday, but he forgot it today.'
    Example. 'We knew each other well in high school.'
    Example. 'They knew it was a bad idea, yet they proceeded anyway.'
  3. Narrating stories or events. For telling stories or recounting events that occurred in the past.
    Example. 'He knew the answer yesterday, but he forgot it today.'
    Example. 'We knew each other well in high school.'
    Example. 'They knew it was a bad idea, yet they proceeded anyway.'

Past Participle

  1. Present Perfect tense. To talk about experiences up to the present or actions that happened at an unspecified time.
    Example. 'I have known her for ten years.'
    Example. 'By the time the concert started, we had known about the cancellation.'
    Example. 'He is well known for his philanthropy.'
    Example. 'I had been knowing them for years before moving away' is incorrect, instead, say 'I had known them for years before moving away.'
  2. Past Perfect tense. For talking about actions that were completed before another action in the past.
    Example. 'I have known her for ten years.'
    Example. 'By the time the concert started, we had known about the cancellation.'
    Example. 'He is well known for his philanthropy.'
    Example. 'I had been knowing them for years before moving away' is incorrect, instead, say 'I had known them for years before moving away.'
  3. Passive voice constructions. To express actions done to the subject rather than actions that the subject performs.
    Example. 'I have known her for ten years.'
    Example. 'By the time the concert started, we had known about the cancellation.'
    Example. 'He is well known for his philanthropy.'
    Example. 'I had been knowing them for years before moving away' is incorrect, instead, say 'I had known them for years before moving away.'
  4. Perfect Continuous tenses. Although 'known' isn't used in a continuous tense by itself, its form indicates the completion of an action when used in perfect continuous constructions that imply ongoing actions up to a point in the past or present.
    Example. 'I have known her for ten years.'
    Example. 'By the time the concert started, we had known about the cancellation.'
    Example. 'He is well known for his philanthropy.'
    Example. 'I had been knowing them for years before moving away' is incorrect, instead, say 'I had known them for years before moving away.'
  5. Each usage case serves to convey a different aspect of time and action related to the verb 'know,' reflecting general truths, completed actions in the past, and experiences or states extending up to the present or affecting it.
    Example. 'I have known her for ten years.'
    Example. 'By the time the concert started, we had known about the cancellation.'
    Example. 'He is well known for his philanthropy.'
    Example. 'I had been knowing them for years before moving away' is incorrect, instead, say 'I had known them for years before moving away.'

Common mistakes

— 01

Misusing Past Simple

A common mistake is using the past simple form 'knew' when the past participle 'known' is required, particularly in perfect tense constructions. For example, saying 'I have knew this for a long time' instead of the correct 'I have known this for a long time.'

— 02

Mixing Up the Forms

Another mistake is treating 'know' as if it were a regular verb and applying a regular verb ending for its past forms. For instance, incorrectly creating forms like 'knowed' instead of using 'knew' for the past simple and 'known' for the past participle. Correct usage is 'I knew it yesterday' (past simple) and 'I have known it since yesterday' (present perfect).

— 03

Wrong Form

Sometimes, learners mistakenly use the past simple form instead of the past participle in passive voice sentences. For example, saying 'The secret was knew by everyone' instead of the correct 'The secret was known by everyone.' It's essential to use the past participle 'known' with the verb 'to be' in passive constructions to convey the correct meaning.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the past simple form of 'know'?

The past simple form of 'know' is 'knew.' This form is used to talk about facts, actions, or conditions that were true or happened in the past. For example. I knew the answer to the question yesterday.

What is the past participle form of 'know'?

The past participle form of 'know' is 'known.' This form is often used in perfect tenses and passive voice constructions to describe actions or states that have been completed or are related to the present or future. For example. She has known him for over a decade. The secret was known by only a few people.

How do you use 'knew' and 'known' in a sentence correctly?

To use 'knew' correctly, you should place it in the past tense scenarios where an action or state of knowing is completed in the past. For example. He knew it was going to rain, so he brought an umbrella. To use 'known' correctly, it often follows a form of the verb 'to have' or 'to be' to construct perfect tenses or passive voice sentences, respectively. For example. By then, she had known the truth for weeks. (Perfect tense) The artist is known for his innovative style. (Passive voice)

Can you provide examples of 'knew' and 'known' in different tenses?

Simple Past (knew). Last year, I knew nothing about gardening. Present Perfect (known). I have known Sarah since we were children. Past Perfect (known). By the time the news was released, the community had already known about the decision. Future Perfect (known). By the end of the year, he will have known her for a decade. Passive Voice (known). The poem is known by heart by many students. These examples show how 'knew' and 'known' are used in various tenses and constructions to indicate different aspects of knowing in the past.