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he said he knew vs he said he knows

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'He said he knew' is used when reporting past events or statements, while 'he said he knows' is used when reporting present events or statements. The choice between 'knew' and 'knows' depends on the tense of the original statement being reported.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 11313 views

he said he knew

This phrase is correct when reporting past events or statements.

This phrase is used to report something that was said in the past. 'Knew' is the past tense of 'know'.

Examples:

  • He said he knew the answer to the question.
  • She said she knew the truth about the situation.
  • He said he knew about you and Oswald Cooper.
  • He said he knew where Clinton was headed, and he wanted to bring him in himself.
  • He said he knew what was going on.
  • He said he knew everything about the scheme, but he didn't want anyone to overhear.
  • He said he knew someone who could fix it.
  • He said he knew about a few losses I had in the bookies.
  • - He said he knew where Lloyd was!
  • HE SAID HE KNEW YOU WERE COMING AND HE SENDS HIS REGARDS.
  • Suddenly he said he knew a shortcut and jumped off the train.
  • And he said he knew my parents!
  • Since he said he knew you, I was hoping you would help us with the motive.
  • I also spoke to Harlow's business associate, Alex Friel; he said he knew that Damon had been dipping into shadier collectibles, like the bones of serial killers, but he just looked the other way.
  • You let an unauthorized civilian onto a CIA black site just because he said he knew me?
  • He just asked for you, and then he said he knew you were here.
  • He said he knew the cops.
  • He said he knew how to wake me up.
  • He said he knew that was the only way to convince me.
  • He said he knew of a way to keep Elena safe.
  • He said he knew what Father McCourt was doing to me.
  • He said he knew it had to be hard for me at school, coming from Jersey, with all those Upper East Side brats.

Alternatives:

  • He said he had known
  • He said he had knowledge of

he said he knows

This phrase is correct when reporting present events or statements.

This phrase is used to report something that is being said in the present. 'Knows' is the present tense of 'know'.

Examples:

  • He said he knows the answer to the question.
  • She said she knows the truth about the situation.
  • He said he knows of at least four collectors.
  • He said he knows someone in the Calonia mountain range.
  • He said he knows where they're keeping my parents.
  • He said he knows a Harry Finley.
  • He said he knows I'm not giving all of myself... and it's unfair to us.
  • He said he knows of a good doctor, who cures all.
  • He said he knows where the lions are and he said he might take me.
  • He said he knows that you're out, but that you should see him anyway.

Alternatives:

  • He said he knows about
  • He said he is aware of

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