Did you know? or Do you know?

Question

Hi, in the conversation below, is it correct/possible to use 'Did you know...?'

A: Did you know James Smith?

B: Yes, I met him a year ago.

I prefer 'Do you know...?' but I'm not sure if 'Did you know...?' is also correct. If not when is it possible to use "Did you know....?

I'd appreciate your help on this.

Ivanhr · Accepted Answer

If James Smith is dead then "Did you know..." is the correct way to go about saying that.

CalifJim · Answer

Did you know (a person)? would be used when speaking of a time in the past. Perhaps the person isn't alive anymore; perhaps the person doesn't live here anymore or there is no way you might have contact anymore. When you worked in films, did you know Al Pacino?

Do you know (a person)? would be used when speaking of the present, most likely in a situation where you might currently meet and speak with that person. Perhaps you and that person live in the same area of a city, or you and that person have something in common that makes the speaker believe the two of you may have met.

Did you know that (a fact)? would be used any time when you want to share news with someone, and you think that they don't know yet. Did you know that Jennifer had a baby? Did you know that Ed had to be taken to emergency last week?

CJ

Marcos054 · Answer

Thanks a lot Ivanhr for your reply. Very much appreciated.

Marcos054 · Answer

Once again you've been of very much help, CalifJim. Very clear and detailed explanations. Thank you sooo.. much.

And could you also help me with my previos query I posted a few hours ago (Past Simple or Past Continuous). I think I need some more explanations. Thanks again.

Did you know? or Do you know?

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