Are you curious about the difference between ‘come to know’ and ‘get to know’? If so, this article is perfect for you!
You’ll learn the definitions of each phrase, when it’s appropriate to use them, and how they can be used in a sentence.
Plus, there’s an interactive exercise at the end which will help you test your knowledge.
Let’s get started!
Key Takeaways
- ‘Come to know’ means gaining understanding or knowledge gradually over time through direct experience, observations, or conversations.
- ‘Get to know’ involves actively seeking out information through talking with others, researching online, or reading books.
- ‘Come to know’ implies a more passive process, while ‘get to know’ suggests active engagement.
- The choice between the two phrases depends on the level of understanding you want to convey and can be useful for different purposes.
Definition of ‘Come to Know’ and ‘Get to Know’
You’re probably wondering what the difference is between ‘come to know’ and ‘get to know’, right?
To come to know something means to gain understanding or knowledge about it gradually over time. This includes gaining awareness through direct experience, observations, or conversations.
On the other hand, getting to know something involves actively seeking out information about it by talking with others, researching online, or reading books.
As such, ‘come to know’ implies a more passive process while ‘get to know’ suggests active engagement in learning more about a concept or person.
Examples of ‘Come to Know’ and ‘Get to Know’
Ya gotta experience first-hand how it feels to really connect with someone as ya come to understand them better.
An example of ‘come to know’ is when you meet a new person and gradually learn more about them, i.e., their likes and dislikes, hobbies, and interests. As time passes, you will slowly come to know the person better.
On the other hand, ‘get to know’ implies that you are purposely trying to find out more about a person through active engagement in conversation or by observing their behavior over an extended period of time.
For instance, if you want to get to know someone better, you might begin asking questions about their life or spending additional time with them in order for your relationship with them to grow deeper.
Grammatical Rules for Using ‘Come to Know’ and ‘Get to Know’
When it comes to using ‘come to know’ and ‘get to know’, there are certain grammatical rules that must be followed.
Generally, the past tense should be used when speaking of knowledge gained in the past. For example, ‘I came to know my best friend last year.’
The present perfect is also acceptable: ‘I have come to know my best friend since last year.’
On the other hand, ‘get to know’ implies a process which is still ongoing. In this case, you would use the present progressive tense: ‘I’m getting to know my new co-worker better every day.’
It’s important to note that these two phrases cannot be used interchangeably; they have different meanings and should only be used in their appropriate contexts.
Pros and Cons of Using ‘Come to Know’ and ‘Get to Know’
You’ve likely heard both phrases used, but it’s important to understand the pros and cons of each.
‘Come to know’ is more formal and expresses a deeper level of understanding or familiarity gained over time. It also implies that there is effort involved in getting to know the person or thing.
On the other hand, ‘get to know’ implies a quicker process and does not imply as much effort being put into building the relationship or knowledge.
The choice between these two phrases largely depends on what level of understanding you are trying to convey. Both can be useful for different purposes; however, if you want to emphasize a long-term relationship or deep understanding, then ‘come to know’ would be a better option.
Practical Exercise to Test Knowledge of ‘Come to Know’ and ‘Get to Know’
Practicing using ‘come to know’ and ‘get to know’ is a great way to test your understanding of the two phrases.
To get started, try writing a few sentences that use either phrase correctly. For example, you can write:
‘I’m looking forward to getting to know my new co-workers.’
or
‘I’ve come to know the area well since I moved here.’
This exercise will help you recognize when it is appropriate to use each phrase in different contexts.
Pay attention not only to syntax but also the meaning behind each phrase.
Conclusion
Now you know the difference between ‘come to know’ and ‘get to know’. You understand the grammatical rules for using them, as well as their pros and cons.
With practice, you’ll be able to use these phrases confidently in your everyday life.
So go ahead, start getting to know someone new and come to truly understand them!