Phrasal verbs "hear of" vs "know of"

Differences between hear of and know of

Hear of means to be aware of something or someone's existence, while know of means to have knowledge or information about something or someone.

Meanings and Definitions: hear of vs know of

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Hear of

• 1. Know of something or someone's existence.

  I've HEARD OF the band, but don't know their music.

• 2. Receive news, updates or information about someone.

  I have HEARD nothing OF them since they moved house.

• 3. In the negative, this can mean that someone refuse to accept, allow or acknowledge something.

  I said it would be a positive step, but she wouldn't HEAR OF it.

Know of

• 1. To have knowledge or awareness of someone or something.

  Do you know of anyone who’s looking for a new car?

Usage Examples: hear of, know of in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

hear of

Example

I hear of a new restaurant opening in town.

Example

She hears of a famous actor visiting the city.

know of

Example

I know of a great restaurant nearby.

Example

She knows of a good dentist in the area.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Hear of

come across

To find or discover something by chance or accidentally.

Example

While browsing the internet, she came across an interesting article about sustainable living.

catch wind of

To hear or learn about something through rumors or gossip.

Example

He caught wind of the company's plans to lay off employees through his colleagues.

get wind of

To hear or learn about something through rumors or gossip.

Example

She got wind of her friend's engagement through social media before receiving the official announcement.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Know of

be familiar with

To have knowledge or experience of something or someone.

Example

As a history buff, he is familiar with various historical events and figures.

be acquainted with

To know or be familiar with someone or something.

Example

She is acquainted with the CEO of the company through her previous job.

have information about

To possess knowledge or details about something or someone.

Example

The journalist has information about the upcoming product launch from a reliable source.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “hear”

• hear out
• hear about
• hear from

Phrasal Verbs with “of”

• smack of
• give of
• remind of
• become of
• make of

Differences in hear of vs know of: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: hear of or know of?

Both hear of and know of are commonly used in everyday conversation. However, know of is more formal and often used in written communication, while hear of is more casual and used in spoken communication.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of hear of and know of

Know of is more formal than hear of. It is often used in academic or professional settings. Hear of is more informal and suitable for everyday conversations with friends and family.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of hear of and know of

The tone of hear of and know of can differ based on context. Hear of often carries a surprised or curious tone when related to discovering something new, while know of typically has a knowledgeable or informative tone, especially when referring to sharing information or giving advice.

hear of & know of: Synonyms and Antonyms

Hear of

Synonyms

• discover
• know about
• be aware of
• learn about
• find out
• become acquainted with
• be informed of

Antonyms

• ignore
• overlook
• miss
• disregard
• unaware of
• uninformed about

Know of

Synonyms

• recognize
• understand
• acknowledge
• realize
• be aware of
• have knowledge of
• be familiar with

Antonyms

• overlook
• miss
• disregard
• ignore
• be ignorant of
• be unaware of
• not know