What is the Difference Between I know and I knew?

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The difference between "I know" and "I knew" lies in their tenses. "I know" is used in the present tense, while "I knew" is used in the past tense. Here are some examples to illustrate their usage:

  • I know: This expression is used when you are talking about something that is true or relevant at the present moment. For example, "I know her phone number."
  • I knew: This expression is used when you are talking about something that was true or relevant in the past but may not be anymore. For example, "I knew the answer to the question."

Both expressions can be followed by "that" before a sentence, as in "I know that she will come today" and "I knew that she would not come today". However, it is essential to understand the difference in tense and use the expressions accordingly.

Comparative Table: I know vs I knew

The difference between "I know" and "I knew" lies in their tenses and the duration of time they refer to.

  • I know: This is the present tense of the verb "to know" and is used when talking about something that is relevant or happening right now. For example:

  • I know it.

  • I know today.

  • I know Lily's favorite color.

  • I knew: This is the past tense of the verb "to know" and is used when talking about something that happened in the past or was true in the past but is not true anymore. For example:

  • I knew it before.

  • I knew it yesterday.

  • I knew it last year.

Here is a summary of their differences:

Expression Tense Duration of Time Example
I know Present Present or ongoing I know it.
I knew Past Past event or knowledge I knew it before.

Remember that the choice between "I know" and "I knew" depends on when the knowledge or event occurred in relation to the current time.