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Hirashin Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

I easily knew /recognized/ got to know

Which would be all right?
(a) I easily knew what it is because I had eaten it before.
(b) I easily got to know what it is because I had eaten it before.
(c) I easily recognised what it is because I had eaten it before.

Thanks in advance.

Hirashin from Kyoto
  

Top answer

While a case for "is" can be argued if the thing still exists, in reality it is more natural (for me at least) to use "what it was " here. " are not very natural phrasings for me here. "I knew what it was straight away" is natural.

— GPY

  • While a case for "is" can be argued if the thing still exists, in reality it is more natural (for me at least) to use "what it was " here.
  • " are not very natural phrasings for me here.
  • "I knew what it was straight away" is natural.
  • (c) is easier if you just say "I easily recognised it".
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1 Answers
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While a case for "is" can be argued if the thing still exists, in reality it is more natural (for me at least) to use "what it was" here.

"I easily knew ..." and, more so, "I easily got to know ..." are not very natural phrasings for me here. "I knew what it was straight away" is natural. (c) is easier if you just say "I easily recognised it".
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