What is known? Pronunciation and usage in English

known means . Learn how to pronounce and use known through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of known

knownverb

/nəʊn/
Definition & pronunciation of known

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "known." It's a tricky one for some learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

  • /noʊn/ (rhymes with "gone" or "phone")

Let's break that down further:

  • "no": This is the most familiar part – the vowel sound like in "no" or "go."
  • "n": Just a regular "n" sound.

Here's a more detailed phonetic transcription (using the International Phonetic Alphabet - IPA):

/noʊn/

Tips for getting it right:

  • Focus on the vowel: The key is to say "no" with a slightly more open mouth than you might normally. It's not a short "o" sound like in "hot."
  • Avoid a "k" sound: Many people tend to add a "k" sound at the beginning, which is incorrect. Don’t say "cone."
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it. Here are some resources:
    • Google Search: Search for "how to pronounce known" on Google and listen to the audio results.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/known/ – This website provides pronunciations by native speakers.
    • YouTube: Search on YouTube for videos demonstrating the pronunciation.

To recap, don’t say “cone,” say “no-n.”

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation?
  • Provide more examples of words that rhyme with "known"?

Usage and examples with the word known in English

Let's break down how to use the word "known" in English. It's a versatile word with several different functions. Here's a breakdown with examples:

1. As an Adjective (Describing Something or Someone):

  • Meaning: Familiar; well-recognized; widely known.
  • Usage: It describes something or someone that people are aware of.
  • Examples:
    • “He is a known author.” (He’s a writer that many people recognize and read.)
    • “This is a known fact.” (This is a widely accepted truth.)
    • “She’s a known expert in the field.” (She's a respected expert.)
    • “The known symptoms of the disease include fever and cough.” (The symptoms that are commonly recognized.)

2. As a Past Participle (Used with "have" or "be"):

  • Meaning: Having been known; having become familiar. It describes a state of being known.
  • Usage: Often used in perfect tenses (present perfect, past perfect, etc.).
  • Examples:
    • "I have known him for ten years." (I’ve been acquainted with him for a long time.)
    • "She has been known as a talented musician." (She’s become recognized as a musician.)
    • "They were known for their generosity." (They were famous for being generous.)

3. As a Verb (To become known; to be recognized):

  • Meaning: To gain recognition; to become familiar to people.
  • Usage: It describes the process of becoming known.
  • Examples:
    • “The band began to be known for their energetic performances.” (The band started gaining recognition.)
    • “His talent quickly known throughout the industry.” (His talent became quickly recognized.)
    • “She is known for her kindness.” (She has become known for her kindness – she’s gained that reputation.)

4. “Known to” / “Known by” – Giving the reason for the knowledge:

  • Meaning: Specific people or groups are aware of something.
  • Usage: This construction clarifies who knows something.
  • Examples:
    • "He was known to all the children in the neighborhood.” (All the children knew him.)
    • “The issue was known by the board members.” (The board members were aware of the issue.)
    • "The danger was known to the residents." (The residents were aware of the danger.)

Key Differences & Nuances:

  • “Known” (adjective) vs. “Knowing” (verb): Don't confuse "known" (describing something) with "knowing" (having knowledge or understanding).
  • “Known to” vs. “Known by”: "Known to" emphasizes who has the knowledge. "Known by" emphasizes who is recognized.

Here's a table summarizing the different uses:

Use Meaning Example
Adjective Familiar, recognized A known face
Past Participle Having been known I have known her since childhood
Verb To become known The artist is known for her portraits
“Known to/by” Specifically known to He was known to the police.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of sentence are you trying to write? (e.g., a descriptive sentence, a statement about a person, a story?)

Synonyms for the word known

Practice with vocabulary known

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The scientific community has long __________ that climate change is a serious threat.
  2. Her exceptional leadership skills are __________ throughout the industry, making her a sought-after leader.
  3. The project manager is responsible __________ overseeing all tasks and ensuring timely completion.
  4. Despite the initial challenges, the team managed to __________ their goals ahead of schedule.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. The author is __________ for her groundbreaking research in quantum physics. A) known B) celebrated C) recognized D) familiar
  2. It's a __________ fact that regular exercise significantly improves mental well-being. A) common B) public C) known D) acknowledged
  3. The scientist's highly specialized work is __________ to few outside their discipline. A) familiar B) understood C) known D) revealed
  4. The CEO decided to __________ the launch of the new product due to unforeseen technical issues. A) postpone B) delay C) defer D) suspend
  5. Effective communication is __________ for building strong professional relationships and team cohesion. A) vital B) essential C) crucial D) imperative

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. People recognize her for her innovative solutions to complex engineering problems. (Rewrite using "known")
  2. The intricate details of the negotiation are confidential and have not been disclosed to the public. (Rewrite using a form of "known")
  3. His reputation for integrity and diligence is widely acknowledged in the business community. (Rewrite using a suitable replacement word, not "known")

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. known
  2. known
  3. for
  4. achieve

Exercise 2:

  1. A) known, B) celebrated, C) recognized
  2. A) common, C) known, D) acknowledged
  3. A) familiar, C) known
  4. A) postpone, B) delay, C) defer
  5. A) vital, B) essential, C) crucial, D) imperative

Exercise 3:

  1. She is known for her innovative solutions to complex engineering problems.
  2. The intricate details of the negotiation are not publicly known.
  3. His reputation for integrity and diligence is widely recognized in the business community.

Comment ()