Difference between knowing someone and knowing of someone?

[Anonymous]

When someone says they knows someone does that mean they've seen them in person?
When someone says they know OF someone does that mean they know who they are but have never seen the person in real life? Like they might know that person exists or have seen them on Facebook but never actually met them?

[nandyme]

When you know of someone, you have heard of them , something they did, etc.
when you know someone, you know them personally. You know WHY they did what they did.
this has nothing to do with meeting that person. You can get to know someone really well even online/calls. Likewise, you can only know of someone who you see around everyday, like at office or school

[DivaMonae]

Okay knowing someone is actually knowing, being around this person.

Knowing of is like knowing a celebrity. I know of Justin Bieber, Kim K, Miley Cyrus, etc. but I'm not a friend, family member, or an acquaintance. You know them without personally knowing them.

[ambertaylor]

Know of someone: Know who they are but have never directly met. Such as heard about them through friends, is a friend of a friend. You are aware of their name and exsistence.

Know someone: Met them, know a little bit about them.

[Anonymous]

You're partly right. Knowing someone means you have met with the person. Knowing of someone means you know who they are. There were plenty of people in HS that I knew of, and have seen around many many times.. I know of them, I knew that they existed but I didn't actually know them.. I've never interacted with them, never met them.. but I did know who they were.

[cainetheliving]

To know someone is to share an exchange with that person on a personal level. We met and shook hands at a convention.. therefore we know each other. To know OF someone is to know them without a personal exchange. I know of professor such and such.. maybe I know his name, his work, and even personal details of him but I don't really know him.

[lifes_curve_ball]

This

[dodgypirate]

Well to know someone is generally in a more personal sense, as in you've met the person, talked to them and they are regarded as a friend or acquaintance.

Knowing about someone, doesn't necessarily mean on a personal level. It can mean knowing about someone at school or college who has done such and such.

[Metal189]

you see them almost constantly and or talk to them almost constantly. like for example there's a guy in a group of our friends who i dont really know all that well, because he went to a diff. college that i did but im still cool with him. i mean, i know of him, but i don't KNOW him.

in terms of girls, id say it's the same thing. right now i dont really KNOW the girl i like, but i know of her and at least a couple of things

[zagor]

Knowing someone means you would greet each other on the street, that you have at least some minor knowledge about each other.

Knowing of someone means you know something about them, that you may have seen them in person, but you haven't really interacted with them enough to know much about them. Or someone you have heard of but never met, like a distant relative, a friend of a friend, or a celebrity.

[COCOCHANEL]

to know someone: to know them personally, to be directly acquainted

to know of someone: to have heard of them only

[PukiMahlu]

To know of -The person's name, looks, etc.
To Know someone -The person's personality, likes, dislikes, petpeeves, etc.

Some people pretend to know everyone, so maybe it depends upon who is saying it; it seems highly subjective.

[Luv2BRealExotic13]

Knowing of someone is knowing what a person has done, heard stories about them, knows their name and that's it. Knowing someone is, you hang/hung out with them, know their personality, have an understanding of them.

[Ruschnav]

It's like a friend vs acquaintance. Knowing someone is someone you have spoken to and met before. Knowing of someone is when you know the name but have not necessarily spoken to or met.

[sagigurrl3]

If you know someone, you have talked to them before. If you know of someone, you might recognize their name, but you've never talked to them or come into contact with them before.

[JamielovesKU]

If you know OF someone, then you hear a lot about them but you dont know them personally. Knowing someone means you know them personally like a friend.

[BryanM]

Knowing someone, to me, means being able to recall specific details unique to an individual. Knowing off someone is the bare minimum of a name and/or a face.

[iampikachu]

I guess when you know of someone is like a celebrity kind of you know some info of them, but not much.
When you know someone you have spoken to them various times and know them personally.

[NaturalBornFiller]

Try bringing it down to root level and ponder it this way...

Knowing yourself vs
Knowing of yourself

[AshBrown]

Hehe. I bet you will get a ton of very similar answers. :) its kind of trivial... unless you were looking for a very philosophical answer.

[rebeccalouise]

Yes, for example I know of Queen Elizabeth, but know my mum.

[cajun]

yes.. you put it..

What about i dont know someone.. it do still sounds the same.. we know them but wish we dont know them..

[Anonymous]

If you know of someone you know who they are but you don't directly know them you just no nothing about them.
If you know someone you have actual met and been around them and are possibly friends.

[Anonymous]

Knowing of someone is not having any kind of relationship with them. Not talking, friends, or really any interaction. Knowing someone would be talking or friends with someone, or acquaintances.

[bh6676r942]

One is knowing about them one is knowing what they would and one is knowing them on a personal level

[Ms_Curiosity]

knowing someone = you've talked to them, exchange stories, etc.
knowing of someone = you've only heard about them but don't actually know them

[legalboxers]

knowing someone = actions, personality, traits, birthday, family, quirks

knowing of someone = name.

[michellelynnsmith78]

I would say that knowing of someone is like saying I would refer to if it was someone that plays in a show or a movie or heard of. Knows someone is someone that they have met personally.

[Anonymous]

You've heard of them but don't know anything personal about them and who they are usually besides their name

[xp350]

Knowing some one means you know them psychologically and as a person. Knowing of some one just means that you heard their name and hear they get talked about.

[OliverEP]

I agree with you, but it isn't the difference only on grammar?

[Cheeky_Unfortunate]

It's just primary and secondary knowledge.