meaning - "Know about" vs. "know of"


Recently one of my friends told me that there is distinct difference between 'know of something' and 'know about something' expressions.



  • 'know of' is used when you have personal experience with what you are talking about

  • 'know about' is used when you have heard about the subject but never had any experience with it.


This contradicts with my experience. To me it seems like 'know about' is used in every situation and the use of 'know of' is mostly limited to 'not that I know of' expression. Short google search seems to support my point of view, there are articles named '10 things I know about journalism' where person is speaking from the experience and not that many encounters of 'know of' expression anywhere.


So, is my friend's statement true?



Answer



I would use the expression "I know Smith" if I have had personal experiences with the person.


For me, "know about" means that I have heard many things about this person, or have researched him (such as if I were to say "I know about Einstein, he invented general relativity"), while "know of" suggests that I have merely heard of this person in passing, or have a very limited knowledge of this person (such as if I were to say "I know of Madame Curie", the emphasis being on the word "of", and usually as a reply to someone asking "Have you heard of Madame Curie?").


Therefore, I would say your friend is wrong in his characterization of the former, and correct in his characterization of the latter.


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