ENGLISH
REFERENCE

be known as sb/sth

fixed phr..
B1 Intermediate Oxford

fixed phr.. to be called by a specific name or recognized for a particular quality.

fixed phr.. to be identified or characterized by a specific name, title, or reputation; functions as a passive construction to denote public perception or nomenclature.


SIMPLE

He is known as a very kind person.

CONTEXTUAL

The city is known as the 'Big Apple' by people all over the world.

COMPLEX

Although his legal name was different, the artist was known as 'The Architect' throughout the underground music scene of the nineties.

Usage

usually followed by a noun phrase or a title that describes the subject's identity or reputation.

Teaching tip

remind students that 'known as' focuses on the name or label, while 'known for' focuses on the reason for the fame (e.g., 'known as a chef' vs 'known for his pasta').

Pitfall

He is known like a hero.He is known as a hero.use 'as' to state a role or identity; 'like' is for comparisons between two different things.

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