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I know him vs I knew him

These are both acceptable phrases, but they would be used in dissimilar contexts. 'I know him' is used to indicate a present knowledge or acquaintance with someone, while 'I knew him' is used to indicate a past knowledge or acquaintance with someone.
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Explained by Gregg
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: October 27, 2024 • 13094 views

I know him

This phrase is correct and commonly used to indicate a present knowledge or acquaintance with someone.

This phrase is used to express that you are currently familiar with or have a relationship with the person in question.

Examples:

  • I know him from work.
  • Do you know him well?
  • She knows him better than I do.
  • We know him as a reliable person.
  • They know him as a talented musician.

Alternatives:

  • I am familiar with him.
  • I am acquainted with him.
  • I recognize him.
  • I have met him before.
  • I have a relationship with him.

I knew him

This phrase is correct and commonly used to indicate a past knowledge or acquaintance with someone.

This phrase is used to express that you had knowledge of or were acquainted with the person in the past.

Examples:

  • I knew him when we were in school.
  • She knew him before he moved away.
  • They knew him as a child.
  • He knew him from his previous job.
  • We knew him as a neighbor.
  • I knew him from group therapy.
  • Since I was seven, I knew him.
  • Remember, I knew him better than you did.
  • Yes, I knew him in Hamburg.
  • I knew him as a child.
  • I knew him before he changed.
  • When I knew him, it was young-man musk.
  • He looked exactly the same as when I knew him.
  • I knew him far better than you.
  • I knew him as well as anyone.
  • Kopelman never voted against you the whole time I knew him.
  • I knew him from my econ class.
  • Not well, but I knew him.
  • I, I knew him only in passing.
  • I knew him, he worked for Noble Insurance.
  • I knew him as "China".
  • I knew him better than anybody.
  • I knew him even less than I realized.
  • I knew him, but only professionally.
  • I knew him from the battlefield.

Alternatives:

  • I was familiar with him.
  • I was acquainted with him.
  • I recognized him.
  • I had met him before.
  • I had a relationship with him.

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