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Taka Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Know

What exactly is the difference between the two below?

Do you know the story about the man who crossed the Pacific alone on a yacht last year?
Did you know the story about the man who crossed the Pacific alone on a yacht last year?
  

Top answer

Only the first sounds like a common utterance to me. The second may have a specific context, but not the usual one.

— Mister Micawber

  • Only the first sounds like a common utterance to me.
  • The second may have a specific context, but not the usual one.
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6 Answers
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Only the first sounds like a common utterance to me. The second may have a specific context, but not the usual one.
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When do you think 'Did you know ...?' should be used and would sound better than 'Do you know...?'?
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When the listener seemed bored while listening to the story.
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That's something I've never heard of. Interesting.

I've heard 'Did you know ...?' used in many situation, so many times, and I wonder if boredom is really the key.

Hmm...
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The first is what you'd usually hear if the person wants to relate the story to you: Hey did you hear the story about... If you say no, the person will tell you the story.

The second might be heard in the following situation:

A: Hey, did you hear the story about the man who crossed the Pac. alone on a yacht last yr.?
B: No.
A: Well, this guy outfitted a small sailbo
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'Did you hear?' / 'Have you heard?' are indeed the more usual, but they don't work the same way in this situation.

Did you hear? = Do you know? when asking if someone already knows the story/joke.
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