The verb to know · Conjugation
Present Simple of know
The answer: know / knows
A1
Habits, routines and facts that are always true.
Quick answer
The Present Simple of the verb to know is know / knows.
Example: I know the answer.
Full conjugation in the Present Simple
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| I | know |
| You | know |
| He / She / It | knows |
| We | know |
| You (pl.) | know |
| They | know |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. I am knowing ❌
Know is a state verb (it describes what is in your mind). With this meaning, it never takes -ing. Say I know the answer, never I am knowing the answer.
2. He know ❌
With he, she and it, use knows, not know: She knows the truth, never She know the truth.
3. Saying the k in knows ❌
In know, knew and known, the k at the start is silent. Say /nəʊ/, /njuː/, /nəʊn/. The same rule works for knee, knife, knight and knock.
Practice quiz
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Frequently asked questions
How do you conjugate know in the present simple?+
Use know with I, you, we and they: I know his name. Use knows with he, she and it: She knows his name. You just add -s. Remember: the k at the start is silent.
What is the difference between know and learn in the present?+
Know is a state: I know English (I can speak it). Learn is an action: I'm learning English (I am studying it now). You learn something first, and then you know it.
Can you say I am knowing?+
No. Know is a state verb (a verb for a state of mind, not an action). With this meaning, it does not take -ing. Say I know the answer, never I am knowing the answer. Other state verbs work the same way: believe, understand, remember.
What is the difference between know and meet in the present?+
Know is a state: you are already familiar with the person. I know your sister. Meet is an action: you see someone for the first time, or you see them at a planned time. I meet my friends after school. When you see someone for the first time, say Nice to meet you.
How do you make a question with know?+
Use do or does + subject + know: Do you know the answer? Does she know your name? Where do they know him from? After does, the verb has no -s: Does she know…?, never Does she knows…?
Related pages: know Present 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/present
© 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.