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Sinhmani Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

to vs by- Active - Passive

Active: I Know him.
Passive: He is known to/by me.

My understanding is that "to" is used to indicate relationships, therefore,
He is known to me" should be the correct conversion.

Further insights.........
  

Top answer

He is known to me. This does not suggest to me that we have a two-way personal relationship. It sounds like I know him in the sense that I know President Obama.

— Clive

  • He is known to me.
  • This does not suggest to me that we have a two-way personal relationship.
  • It sounds like I know him in the sense that I know President Obama.
  • The only time I see this form is eg If a thug is murdered and the newspapers say 'He was known to the police'.
  • A more common version is to say 'I know of him'.
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4 Answers
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He is known to me.
This does not suggest to me that we have a two-way personal relationship. It sounds like I know him in the sense that I know President Obama.
The only time I see this form is eg If a thug is murdered and the newspapers say 'He was known to the police'.
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By two-way personal, do we mean asymmetric? i.e.,
Obama is known to me, but it's doubtful that I am known to him. –
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By two-way personal, I meant that we know each other, and have probably met.
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