The word "knew about" is spelled using two commonly used phonemes in English language. The first phoneme is /njuː/ which represents the sound /n/ followed by the sound /juː/ or the long "u" sound. The second phoneme is /əˈbaʊt/, which represents the sound /ə/ or the schwa sound, followed by the sound /b/, the diphthong sound /aʊ/, and the sound /t/. This combination of phonemes creates the word "knew about," which means to be aware or have knowledge of something.
The phrase "knew about" refers to having knowledge or awareness of something or someone. It indicates that an individual possesses information or understanding about a particular subject, event, person, or circumstance. It signifies a state of being informed or familiar with something without necessarily implying that the knowledge was acquired through personal experience or interaction.
When someone says they "knew about" something, it suggests that they possess prior information or had access to relevant details regarding that particular matter. This could encompass various aspects, such as facts, details, history, characteristics, or general awareness pertaining to a subject. The phrase conveys that the individual had some level of comprehension or recognition of what was being referred to, and likely possessed this knowledge before the present moment.
"Knew about" can also be used to denote being acquainted with someone in terms of their reputation, identity, or characteristics. It implies that the person had heard or learned about the individual before the current encounter, offering a sense of familiarity or recognition.
Overall, "knew about" serves to emphasize the possession of information or awareness, highlighting the prior knowledge or understanding one has regarding a certain subject or someone's existence.
The phrase "knew about" is not a standalone word, but rather a combination of the verb "knew" and the preposition "about". Each of these words has its own separate etymology.
1. "Knew":
The verb "knew" is the past tense of the verb "know". Its etymology can be traced back to the Old English word "cnāwan", which meant "to know, perceive, recognize". This Old English term evolved from the Proto-Germanic word "*knēaną". The verb "know" in the past tense form "knew" has been used in English since Middle English.
2. "About":
The preposition "about" originates from the Old English word "abutan" or "onbutan", which means "on the outside of, around, near". It further derives from the Proto-Germanic word "*umbi" or "*umb".