The verb to know · Conjugation
Past Simple of know
The answer: knew
A2
A finished action at a definite time in the past.
Quick answer
The Past Simple of the verb to know is knew.
Example: I knew the answer immediately.
Full conjugation in the Past Simple
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| I | knew |
| You | knew |
| He / She / It | knew |
| We | knew |
| You (pl.) | knew |
| They | knew |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Knowed ❌
Know is an irregular verb. Its Past Simple is knew (said /njuː/), never knowed. Irregular verbs do not take -ed: learn their past forms by heart.
2. Saying the k in knew ❌
In know, knew and known, the k at the start is silent. Say /nəʊ/, /njuː/, /nəʊn/. So knew sounds like new. It is the same for knee, knife and knight.
3. I didn't knew ❌
After didn't, use the base form of the verb: I didn't know his name, not I didn't knew his name. The past is already in did.
Practice quiz
Going further
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of know?+
The Past Simple of know is knew (said /njuː/). It is the same for every person: I knew, you knew, he knew, we knew, they knew.
What is the difference between knew and known?+
Knew is the Past Simple, used alone: I knew the answer. Known is the past participle, used after have / has: I have known him for years.
Is it I knew or I have known?+
Use knew when the knowing is in the past: I knew this song when I was little. If it started in the past and is still true now, use the Present Perfect: I have known this song since I was 5.
Is it didn't know or didn't knew?+
Say didn't know: I didn't know that. People often say it when they are surprised: Oh, I didn't know you had a dog! After didn't, the verb goes back to its base form (know, not knew).
What is the difference between knew and learned?+
Know is a state and learn is an action. I learned English last year means I studied it then. I knew the answer means the answer was already in my head. I'm learning English is an action happening now.
Related pages: know Past Simple
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/know/past-simple
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.
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More forms of the verb to know are coming soon.