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?)

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