Everybody ESL

Episode 387 (mini)

Episode Summary

In this mini episode, you will learn the difference between “know someone” and “know of someone.”

Episode Notes

Episode 387 of the Everybody ESL podcast is a mini episode that teaches you the difference between “know someone” and “know of someone.” Send your questions about English and your comments and suggestions to EverybodyESL@gmail.com! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode Transcription

Intro

“Hi, everyone! This is Sumire, from Japan. And you are listening to Everybody ESL.”

Welcome to episode 387 of Everybody ESL, the podcast for everybody who wants to improve their English, practice their English, or just learn more English. My name is Ben, and I have a mini episode for you today, where I am going to teach you about one English topic. You can subscribe to the Everybody ESL podcast at Apple podcasts and wherever you find your podcasts. If you like Everybody ESL, leave it a good review so other people can find out about it too. And if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for me, please send an email to EverybodyESL@gmail.com. Okay! Let’s get on with this mini episode.

The episode

 In this episode, I’m going to talk about two very similar expressions, and I’m going to explain how these two similar things are different. 

And the two things are “to know someone” and “to know of someone.” To know someone, to know of someone. 

They look very similar. They sound very similar. But they are actually different in important ways. 

Let’s start with the first one. What do we usually mean when we say, “I know that person”? What does it mean to know that person? Usually, when we say, “I know that person,” we mean, “I have met that person before. I have some kind of relationship with that person.” It might be a good relationship. It might be a bad relationship. I have some kind of relationship. I have met this person. We have met each other. If you know someone, then you know that person’s name. And maybe you know something about that person. Maybe you know something about that person’s familyor something about that person’s hobbies or their personality. 

The point is, if you know someone, you have some kind of connection with that person. You have met before. Maybe you have spent some time together. You have some relationship with this person. 

Okay, what about “to know of someone”? This is definitely different.

If I say that I know of someone, all that really means is I am aware of that person. I know that that person exists. I have heard of that person before. I know that person’s name. 

We often use this for people who are famous in some way. So if I know of someone, that means I am familiar with that person. I know that person’s name. I know why that person is famous. But I don’t have a personal connection with that person. Probably, I have never met that person. 

Often, these two expressions—"to know someone” and “to know of someone”—will occur in the same conversation. Sometimes in the same sentence. 

For instance, let’s say one person asks another person, “Do you know the new mayor?” Maybe an election happened recently, and now there is a new mayor. And the person is asking, “Do you know the new mayor?” 

The second person might answer like this: “Well, I don’t know the new mayor, but I know of the new mayor.” I don’t know the new mayor, but I know of the new mayor. This means, I have not met the new mayor. I’m not friends with the new mayor. I don’t have any kind of personal connection with the new mayor. But I know who the new mayor is. If you talk about the new mayor, I know who you’re talking about. I’m familiar with that person’s name. I’m aware of that person. I know that that person is the new mayor. But, no, I don’t know this person. We don’t have a connection. We have never met. 

That is the difference between these two similar expressions, “to know someone” and “to know of someone.” 

I think these two expressions are very important and useful things for you to know.

Outro

This is the end of episode 387 of Everybody ESL. Remember: if you have questions about English, or if you have comments for me, or if you would like to record an introduction that I can play at the beginning of future episodes—the same way Sumire recorded the introduction you heard at the beginning of this episode—send an email to EverybodyESL@gmail.com. I’ll be back soon with a new episode. And until then, keep going, keep practicing, and keep learning. I’ll see you soon. Goodbye!