Conjugation of "Know" — All Forms, Examples, and Usage
To have information, awareness, or understanding of something in your mind; to be familiar with a person or place.
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All 12 Tenses of "Know"
Quick reference table — every tense form of "know" with the first-person example and a link to the grammar guide for that tense.
| Tense | Example (I) | Quick rule |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | I know |
Used for habits, facts, routines, and permanent situations. Full rule → |
| Simple Past | I knew |
Used for completed actions at a specific time in the past. Full rule → |
| Simple Future | I will know |
Used for predictions, decisions made at the moment, and promises. Full rule → |
| Present Continuous | I am knowing |
Used for actions happening right now or temporary situations. Full rule → |
| Past Continuous | I was knowing |
Used for actions in progress at a specific moment in the past. Full rule → |
| Future Continuous | I will be knowing |
Used for actions that will be in progress at a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect | I have known |
Used for past actions with present relevance, life experiences, or unfinished situations. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect | I had known |
Used for an action that was completed before another past action. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect | I will have known |
Used for an action that will be completed before a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect Continuous | I have been knowing |
Used for actions that started in the past and continue now, with focus on duration. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect Continuous | I had been knowing |
Used for ongoing actions in the past that continued up to another past moment. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect Continuous | I will have been knowing |
Used for actions that will have been ongoing up until a specific future time. Full rule → |
Past Tense of "Know" — Knew
The past simple of "know" is "knew". Use it for completed actions at a specific past time. Because "know" is irregular, "knew" is not formed by adding -ed — you have to memorize this form. See our simple past tense guide for a deeper explanation of the simple past.
- She knew the answer to the difficult question immediately. A2
Past Participle of "Know" — Known
The past participle of "know" is "known". Use it after "have/has/had" for the perfect tenses ("I have known"), and after "be" for passive constructions ("It was known"). Because "know" is irregular, "known" is not the same as the past simple — students often confuse the two forms.
Is "Know" Regular or Irregular?
"Know" is an irregular English verb. Its principal parts are: base form "know", past simple "knew", and past participle "known". The 3rd-person singular present is "knows" and the present participle/gerund is "knowing". Conjugation pattern: know-knew-known (irregular vowel change).
Conjugation pattern: know-knew-known (irregular vowel change)
How to Pronounce "Know" and Its Forms
Know: /noʊ/ — Stress pattern: O
One syllable with long /oʊ/ vowel like 'o' in 'go' or 'boat'. The 'kn' sound starts with just /n/, not /kn/.
Common mispronunciation of "know"
The 'k' at the beginning is silent; pronounce only the /n/ sound /noʊ/.
How to Use "Know" — Common Grammar Patterns
Use 'know' + object for facts: 'I know the answer.' Use 'know' + person for familiarity: 'I know Sarah.' Use 'know' + gerund for experience: 'I know running.'
S + V + nounS + V + how/what/where + clauseS + V + person
Example Sentences with "Know" in Different Tenses
- Simple Present: I know your sister from school. A1
- Simple Past: She knew the answer to the difficult question immediately. A2
Common Collocations with "Know"
- know the answer — Do you know the answer?
- know well — I know her very well.
- know about — I know about your plans.
- know for sure — I know for sure that it's true.
- get to know — I want to get to know your family.
When to Use "Know" vs Similar Verbs
"know" vs "understand"
Know = have information; understand = comprehend meaning or reasons behind something.
Smart synonyms — when to use each one
- understand — for comprehending meaning or significance
- recognize — for identifying someone or something familiar
- be aware of — for having knowledge of a situation or fact
Antonyms: forget, ignore, misunderstand
Common Mistakes with "Know"
-
Wrong: He know the address.
Correct: He knows the address.
Add "s" for third-person singular. -
Wrong: I knowing her for years.
Correct: I have known her for years. / I've known her for years.
"Know" is stative; use present perfect for duration, not present continuous. -
Wrong: Did you knew it?
Correct: Did you know it?
Use base form with "did"; "did know", not "did knew".
Origin and Etymology of "Know"
From Old English 'cnawan', related to Germanic and Indo-European languages meaning to perceive or know.
Most common irregular verb. Phrases: 'you know' (filler in speech), 'know what I mean', 'I don't know' (uncertainty), 'you never know'.
Other Forms of "Know"
- Noun: knowledge
Conjugation Tables for "Know"
Negative Forms
- Simple present: I do not know · He does not know
- Simple past: I did not know · She did not know
- Present perfect: I have not known · He has not known
Question Forms
- Simple present: Do you know? · Does he know?
- Simple past: Did you know?
- Present perfect: Have you known?
Passive Voice (where applicable)
- Simple present passive: It is known
- Simple past passive: It was known
- Present perfect passive: It has been known
Frequently Asked Questions About "Know"
- Is "know" regular or irregular?
- "know" is an irregular verb. Its past simple is "knew" and past participle is "known". You must memorize these forms.
- What is the past tense of "know"?
- The simple past of "know" is "knew".
- What's the difference between the past simple and past participle of "know"?
- The past simple is "knew" and the past participle is "known". Use past simple for completed past actions ("I knew yesterday"). Use past participle with have/has ("I have known").
- What's a common mistake with "know"?
- Add "s" for third-person singular. Wrong: "He know the address." Correct: "He knows the address."