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He had known him since he was a child vs He had known him since he'd been a child

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different nuances. The first phrase 'he had known him since he was a child' is more straightforward and commonly used. The second phrase 'he had known him since he'd been a child' is also correct but may sound a bit more formal or literary.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 4780 views

He had known him since he was a child

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is a simple and clear way to express that someone has known another person since the time when the latter was a child.
  • I have known him since he was a resident here at Washington.
  • I've known him since he was a law student.
  • I have known him since he were married.
  • I've known him since he was young, and he was always kind of soft.
  • Of course, I've known him since he was just a man.
  • I've known him since he was this big.
  • I've known him since he was a teenager selling boom boxes from the back of a stolen truck.
  • Well, you've known him since he was 12 - you wanted to believe.
  • I have known him since he was 17 But he has such a makantes appearance that he must be.
  • Now you know Alex, you've known him since he's a kid.
  • I have known him since the day he was born obviously.
  • I'm known him since law school.
  • I've known him since Ukraine.
  • Fine, you've known him since Cub Scouts.
  • Mike's known him since they were both 16.
  • Fred, I've known him since 16.
  • I've known him since I was a newcomer so I can't help it.
  • Mr. Lewicki, I admire your loyalty to my friend Daniel Pierce, but I have known him since you were wearing Huggies.
  • His name is Carl, and I have known him since fourth grade.
  • I've known him since 10th grade.

Alternatives:

  • he had known him since he was young
  • he had known him since childhood
  • he had known him since he was a kid
  • he had known him since he was little

He had known him since he'd been a child

This phrase is correct but may sound slightly more formal or literary.

This phrase is also correct and conveys the same meaning as the first one, but it may sound a bit more formal or literary due to the contraction 'he'd been.'
  • I have known him since he was a resident here at Washington.
  • I've known him since he was a law student.
  • I have known him since he were married.
  • I've known him since he was young, and he was always kind of soft.
  • Of course, I've known him since he was just a man.
  • I've known him since he was this big.
  • I've known him since he was a teenager selling boom boxes from the back of a stolen truck.
  • Well, you've known him since he was 12 - you wanted to believe.
  • I have known him since he was 17 But he has such a makantes appearance that he must be.
  • Now you know Alex, you've known him since he's a kid.
  • I have known him since the day he was born obviously.
  • I'm known him since law school.
  • I've known him since Ukraine.
  • Fine, you've known him since Cub Scouts.
  • Mike's known him since they were both 16.
  • Fred, I've known him since 16.
  • I've known him since I was a newcomer so I can't help it.
  • Mr. Lewicki, I admire your loyalty to my friend Daniel Pierce, but I have known him since you were wearing Huggies.
  • His name is Carl, and I have known him since fourth grade.
  • I've known him since 10th grade.

Alternatives:

  • he had known him since he was a child
  • he had known him since he was young
  • he had known him since childhood
  • he had known him since he was a kid

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