know the answer

Meaning

This phrase means to have the correct information or solution to a question, problem, or test in your mind. It is a very common everyday expression used in classrooms, workplaces, and casual chats.

Examples

• If you know the answer, please raise your hand.

  If you know the answer, please raise your hand.

• I'm sorry, I don't know the answer to that question.

  I'm sorry, I don't know the answer to that question.

• Does anyone here know the answer?

  Does anyone here know the answer?

• She studied hard, so she knew all the answers on the exam.

  She studied hard, so she knew all the answers on the exam.

• I think he knows the answer, but he is too shy to speak.

  I think he knows the answer, but he is too shy to speak.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I know the respond.

  ✓ I know the answer.

  Learners often confuse 'respond' (which is a verb) or 'response' with 'answer'. In daily conversation, 'know the answer' is the natural phrase.

• ✗ I am knowing the answer.

  ✓ I know the answer.

  'Know' is a stative verb, which means it describes a state rather than an action. It is rarely used in the continuous (-ing) form.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Do you ___ to question number five?

  💡 Have the correct solution in your mind.

  Show answer

  know the answer

• I didn't ___ so I left the question blank.

  💡 Understand or have the correct information.

  Show answer

  know the answer