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dont know vs Didn't know

The phrases 'don't know' and 'didn't know' are both correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Don't know' is used in the present tense to express a lack of knowledge at the current moment, while 'didn't know' is used in the past tense to indicate a lack of knowledge at a specific point in the past.

Last updated: March 30, 2024 • 649 views

dont know

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a lack of knowledge at the current moment.

Use 'don't know' in the present tense to indicate that you lack knowledge about something at the current time.

Examples:

  • I don't know the answer to that question.
  • She doesn't know where her keys are.

Alternatives:

  • I am unaware
  • I have no idea
  • I am clueless
  • I am uncertain
  • I am not sure

Didn't know

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a lack of knowledge at a specific point in the past.

Use 'didn't know' in the past tense to express that you were unaware of something at a particular time in the past.

Examples:

  • I didn't know you were coming.
  • She didn't know the answer to the question yesterday.
  • Didn't know it was a Comley truck.
  • Didn't know the shooter was wearing a vest.
  • Didn't know how he got there.
  • Didn't know why they were chasing him.
  • Didn't know there were stars in seoul.
  • Didn't know you were on the dole.
  • Didn't know you liked the show.
  • Didn't know she was leaving.
  • Didn't know you'd walk so soon.
  • Didn't know the gas was on and boom.
  • Didn't know Freck had a real name.
  • Didn't know you were with us.
  • Didn't know we had a king.
  • Didn't know he had any real friends.
  • Didn't know that kind of magic existed.
  • Didn't know if she was living or dead.
  • Didn't know you were here.
  • Didn't know there was a word for that.
  • Didn't know you had a shower there.
  • Didn't know who it was at first.

Alternatives:

  • I was unaware
  • I had no idea
  • I was clueless
  • I was uncertain
  • I wasn't sure

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