know of
know of — idiom
1. If you know of a person or thing, you have heard about them and know basic facts
If you know of a person or thing, you have heard about them and know basic facts, but you have usually not met or experienced them yourself.
Inês knows of a good Thai restaurant near the station, but she has never eaten there.
know of + place — awareness without direct experience
Valentina had never met the director, though everyone in the department knew of the award-winning films.
knew of + someone's creative output — reputation without personal contact
Justin knew of the hiking trail from a travel blog, so he printed a map before setting out.
The police asked if anyone in the village knew of a man matching that description.
Femi said he knew of the singer but could not name a single song.
- have heard of
nearly identical; 'know of' can sound slightly more formal or deliberate
- be aware of
broader — can apply to facts and situations, not just people and things
- know about
implies deeper knowledge; 'know of' suggests only surface-level awareness
文法句型
know of + someone/something
用法筆記
Distinguish from 'know': 'know of' signals secondhand awareness or reputation, while 'know' implies direct familiarity or experience. Compare 'I know him' (personal acquaintance) with 'I know of him' (I have heard about him).