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I knew what he did. vs I knew what he had done.

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "I knew what he did" is used when referring to a past action that was known at the time it happened. "I knew what he had done" is used when referring to a past action that was known before another past event. The choice between the two depends on the specific timeline of events being described.

Last updated: March 30, 2024

I knew what he did.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to indicate that the speaker was aware of a specific action that someone did in the past.

Examples:

  • I knew what he did, but I didn't say anything.
  • She found out about what he did last summer.
  • Do you know what he did yesterday?
  • He never told me what he did.
  • I knew what he did as soon as I saw the evidence.

Alternatives:

  • I knew what he was doing.
  • I knew what he has done.
  • I knew what he has been doing.
  • I knew what he had been doing.
  • I knew what he would do.

I knew what he had done.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to indicate that the speaker was aware of a specific action that someone had completed before another past event.

Examples:

  • I knew what he had done before he confessed.
  • She realized what he had done after seeing the evidence.
  • He finally admitted to what he had done.
  • I knew what he had done when I saw the consequences.
  • Do you know what he had done before he left?

Alternatives:

  • I knew what he did.
  • I knew what he was doing.
  • I knew what he has done.
  • I knew what he has been doing.
  • I knew what he had been doing.

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