ENGLISH
REFERENCE

be known to do sth

fixed phr..
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford

fixed phr.. you use this to say that someone often does something or has done it in the past. it describes a habit or a fact that people know about.

fixed phr.. a passive construction used to report a characteristic behavior or a documented past action of a subject. it functions as a evidential marker, indicating that the statement is based on known facts or general observation.


SIMPLE

He is known to arrive late to meetings.

CONTEXTUAL

This species of bird is known to migrate thousands of miles during the winter months.

COMPLEX

The reclusive author was known to frequent the small bookstore on the corner, though he rarely spoke to the other patrons.

Usage

followed by an infinitive verb; the 'be' must be conjugated to match the subject and tense.

Teaching tip

this is a useful structure for academic or journalistic writing to avoid saying 'everyone knows that...'; it shifts the focus to the subject's behavior.

Pitfall

He is known to arriving late.He is known to arrive late.the phrase must be followed by the base form of the verb (infinitive), not the -ing form.

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