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Know vs. Knows

What's the Difference?

Know is a verb that refers to having information or understanding about something. For example, "I know the answer to that question." Knows is the third person singular form of the verb know, used when referring to someone or something that possesses knowledge or understanding. For example, "She knows the way to the store." Both words are related in meaning but differ in their usage depending on the subject of the sentence.

Comparison

Know
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AttributeKnowKnows
DefinitionBe aware of the truth or facts of somethingHas knowledge or awareness of something
Verb formPresent tense: knowPresent tense: knows
Subject pronounsI, you, we, theyHe, she, it
Object pronounsMe, you, us, themHim, her, it
ConjugationKnow, knew, knownKnows, knew, known
Knows
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Further Detail

Definition

Know and knows are both verbs that refer to having knowledge or awareness of something. However, they are used in different contexts and have slightly different meanings.

Usage

The verb "know" is used in the present tense to indicate that the subject has knowledge or awareness of something. For example, "I know the answer to that question." On the other hand, "knows" is used in the third person singular form of the present tense. For example, "He knows the way to the store."

Conjugation

One key difference between "know" and "knows" is their conjugation in different tenses. "Know" is the base form of the verb, while "knows" is the third person singular form. In the past tense, "knew" is used for both singular and plural subjects, while "knows" remains the same.

Subject-Verb Agreement

When using "know" or "knows" in a sentence, it is important to ensure that the verb agrees with the subject. For example, "She knows the answer" is correct, while "She know the answer" is incorrect. This is a common mistake that English learners often make.

Context

The choice between "know" and "knows" depends on the subject of the sentence and whether it is singular or plural. For singular subjects, "knows" is used, while for plural subjects, "know" is used. For example, "He knows the truth" versus "They know the truth."

Formality

There is no difference in formality between "know" and "knows." Both verbs are used in everyday language and in formal writing. However, it is important to use the correct form based on the subject of the sentence to ensure clarity and accuracy.

Common Mistakes

One common mistake that English learners make is using "knows" with plural subjects. For example, saying "They knows the answer" is incorrect. Another mistake is using "know" with singular subjects, such as "He know the way." It is important to pay attention to subject-verb agreement when using these verbs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while "know" and "knows" are similar verbs that both refer to having knowledge or awareness of something, they are used in different contexts and have different conjugations. It is important to pay attention to subject-verb agreement when using these verbs to ensure clarity and accuracy in communication.

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