Hello

Question

I just have some query about this sentence... I know already what does this sentence mean:

You very well know of my personal information.

does of stand as about in the sentense? "You very well know about my personal information". If so, then, is it similar to "You very well know my personal information"? What would be the difference when I omit the preposition of?

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

'Of' should be omitted.  It is incorrect, as is 'about'.

Aerohn · Answer

Mister Micawber'Of' should be omitted. It is incorrect, as is 'about'.

What if I use it in "You very well know of my situation now."?

Mister Micawber · Answer

That is possible if the listener knows little detail of the situation.

Aerohn · Answer

Mister MicawberThat is possible if the listener knows little detail of the situation.

Why is it possible in a situation, and not in information?

Mister Micawber · Answer

'My personal information' is a specific body of data; a situation is vaguely bounded.

Aerohn · Answer

What can you say about the answer of Avangi ?

In my opinion, to omit the preposition completely would suggest that you know the personal information thoroughly/completely. Both "of" and "about" could mean that you know of its existence in some form. The way your sentence is phrased suggests that the information may include some particular item which may be controversial. In general, if "know of" or "know about" is used to suggest a familiarity with the information itself, it could be cursory, rather than complete.

I am now so bewildered because he said that the sentence is correct, I'm not sure if I miscontrued his clarification.

Mister Micawber · Answer

I am afraid that Avangi has clouded the issue that I thought was on the table by offering a very accurate explanation for interpretations that are less likely.

Personal information: age 67, weight 150 lbs, race Caucasian.

The normal utterance:

(1) 'I do not know your personal information' = 'I do not know your age, weight or race'.

Grammatically possible but not very likely alternative utterances:

(2) 'I do not know of your personal information' = 'I don't know you have an age, a weight or a race'; 'I don't know that your personal information exists'.

(3) 'I do not know about your personal information' = 'I don't know the details of your age of 67, the details of your weight of 150 lbs, or the details of your race, which is Caucasian'; 'I don't know that you have any personal imformation'; 'I don't know where your personal information is'.

Now, which of these interpretations do you think is a likely communication between the 2 people, #1, #2, or #3??

Aerohn · Answer

Mister MicawberThat is possible if the listener knows little detail of the situation.

and another is, in the sentence "You very well know of my situation now." I used the 'very well', and I think it doesn't really mean a little detail, it has been used as intensifier in the sentence, meaning in the fullest sense.-- That's right.

"You very well know of my situation now".-- You indeed know what my situation is generally.

Do you think it

Aerohn · Answer

Mister Micawber(2) 'I do not know of your personal information' = 'I don't know you have an age, a weight or a race'; 'I don't know that your personal information exists'.

How would you say that in a situation, it is possible to use? My sentence is "You very well know of my situation now". When I tried to figure out the sentence you have provided me, would my sentense be: 'I do not know of your situation now' = 'I don't know you have a situation now'? You said that it is possible when someone knows little detail of the situation. Do you think it is possible: 'I do not know of your situation now' = 'I do not know how difficult/easy your situation is'. If not, then, I think 'about' is more acceptable to use for this utterance. Like for instance is 'I do not know about your situation now.' This utterance says that I don't have any idea how difficult/easy your whereabouts is.

Mister Micawber · Answer

and another is, in the sentence "You very well know of my situation now." I used the 'very well', and I think it doesn't really mean a little detail, it has been used as intensifier in the sentence, meaning in the fullest sense.-- That's right.

"You very well know of my situation now".-- You indeed know what my situation is generally.

Do you think it is possible: 'I do not know of your situation now' = 'I do not know how difficult/easy your situation is'. -- No.

If not, then, I think 'about' is more acceptable to use for this utterance. Like for instance is 'I do not know about your situation now. 'This utterance says that I don't have any idea how difficult/easy your whereabouts is. -- No, it doesn't. It doesn't suggest anything about difficulty or easiness, either.

Hello

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions