know of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "know of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that someone is aware of in a general sense. For example, "I know of a few good restaurants downtown."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That we know of.

The New York Times

Not that we know of.

The New York Times

Few know of its existence.

The New York Times

Do you know of anything?

Forbes

I didn't know of it.

Independent

I don't know of any".

The New York Times

I know of the difficulties.

The New York Times - Magazine

Did you know of anything?

The New York Times

Know of one?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I know of none working there regularly.

The New Yorker

I know of only a few exceptions.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "know of" when you want to indicate a general awareness of something's existence without necessarily implying deep knowledge or understanding. For example, "I know of several Italian restaurants in the neighborhood" suggests you are aware they exist, but not necessarily that you've eaten at them or have detailed knowledge about them.

Common error

Avoid using "know of" when you actually mean to express detailed knowledge or understanding. "Know of" implies a surface-level awareness. For example, instead of "I know of quantum physics", which suggests a passing familiarity, use "I know about quantum physics" to indicate a deeper comprehension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "know of" functions as a verb phrase indicating a general awareness or recognition of something or someone. It suggests a surface-level acquaintance rather than deep understanding, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "know of" is a verb phrase indicating a general awareness or recognition of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used, especially in news and academic contexts. Use it when you want to express that you are aware of something's existence, but don't necessarily possess in-depth knowledge. Remember to differentiate it from "know about", which implies a deeper understanding. Common alternatives include "be aware of" and "have heard of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be aware of

Focuses on the state of being conscious or informed about something.

have knowledge of

Emphasizes the possession of information or understanding.

be familiar with

Suggests a degree of acquaintance or experience with something.

have heard of

Implies awareness based on reputation or indirect information.

recognize the existence of

Formally acknowledges the presence or reality of something.

be cognizant of

Highlights a formal or intellectual awareness.

possess information about

Indicates having specific details or data concerning something.

understand the nature of

Focuses on comprehending the essential qualities of something.

appreciate the existence of

Emphasizes a valued or recognized awareness.

have insight into

Suggests a deeper understanding or perspective.

FAQs

How can I use "know of" in a sentence?

Use "know of" to indicate that you are aware of something's existence, but may not have detailed knowledge about it. For example: "Do you "know of" any good mechanics in town?"

What's the difference between "know of" and "know about"?

"Know of" suggests a general awareness, while "know about" implies more detailed knowledge. You might "know of" a famous author, but "know about" their books.

Which is correct, "I know of it" or "I know about it"?

Both are correct, but they have different meanings. "I "know of" it" means you're aware it exists. "I "know about" it" means you have information or understanding regarding it.

What can I say instead of "I "know of""?

You can use alternatives like "I'm aware of", "I've heard of", or "I'm familiar with" depending on the context.