Be Known To, As, For or By? | English Grammar

Hi everyone. I'm Jennifer from English  with Jennifer. Did you know that when  

I first started on YouTube my channel name was  JenniferESL? I later changed it, but even now to  

some older viewers, I'm known as JenniferESL. It's  interesting to think of all the names we've used  

over our lifetime. Sometimes an official form,  like a passport application, will ask us if we've  

ever been known by other names. And this makes  sense if we've changed our name due to marriage,  

adoption, or some other life event. Isn't it  interesting to think how we're known to different  

people by different names? When I was a kid,  from about 3rd grade to 8th grade, I was known  

as Jenny. That was my my nickname. In high school,  my friends called me Jen. To my brothers, I'm Jenn  

with two n's, by the way. Recently, a viewer asked  me about prepositions that follow the passive verb  

"be known." It may be surprising to see variations  because when you learn to form the passive voice,  

you mostly practice using by-phrases to name  the agent, that is, the doer of the action.  

For example: I was given a first name and a middle  name by my parents. Who were the agents, the doer  

of the action? My parents. The by-phrase names  them. Given by my parents. But we don't always  

use "by" with passive verbs. First of all, we can  omit the by-phrase when it's not important, when  

it's not necessary, or when it's impossible to  name the agent. I was given a nickname at school.  

It's not really important to say who came up with  the nickname. I was named after a famous actress.  

Isn't it obvious who named me? My parents. The  name Jennifer was created long ago. Who came  

up with the name? It's practically impossible to  state the agent. Second, we have stative passive  

verbs that often use a preposition other than  "by." Be composed of, be located in, be filled  

with. These are just some examples. We don't use a  by-phrase because no one and nothing is receiving  

an action. We're simply describing a state. You  can watch my other grammar lesson on stative  

passive verbs to learn more. In this video, let's  practice the different combinations with "be  

known." I told you that I'm known to older viewers  as JenniferESL. Why "to"? I use "to" to name who  

knows me. It's like saying I'm familiar to them.  I use "as" to state the name they associate with  

me. JenniferESL is the same channel as English  with Jennifer. And I gave the example that,  

to some of my childhood friends, I'm still known  as Jenny. So, different name, but same person. So,  

when do I use "by"? We can use "by" to state the  means, the means by which someone is known. They  

can be known by another name, known by their last  name, known by their first name, known by their  

middle name, known by their stage name -- the name  which they use when they perform. Do you know who  

Norma Jean Mortenson is? Maybe not. That's because  she's better known as Marilyn Monroe. She's known  

to pretty much everyone by her stage name, not  her birth name. Some celebrities are known by  

their real names as well as special titles.  Elvis Presley is also known as The King of Rock  

and Roll. Michael Jackson is known as The King of  Pop. Who is known as The Queen of Pop? Madonna. Do  

you know Lady Gaga? Is that her real name or her  stage name? Stefani Germanotta (aka Lady Gaga) is  

one of the most talented female artists today.  "Aka" is a common abbreviation that we say and  

write. It stands for "also known as." We could  also say "otherwise known as." Do you think you  

can identify famous people by their stage name  or a pen name? A pen name is a different name,  

a fake name that an author uses. Here's a  3-question quiz. We'll start with an easy one.  

One. Robyn Rihanna Fenty is not known to many by  her first name. Why? She goes by her middle name.

Rihanna. Two. Eric Marlon Bishop, known  professionally as ...has enjoyed success  

as an actor, singer, and comedian. His talent was  on full display when he played Ray Charles in the  

film Ray (2004). Answer: Jamie Foxx. Three.  Samuel Clemens (aka ...) wrote The Adventures  

of Huckleberry Finn. Answer: Mark Twain. Four.  This is a bonus because it involves a fictitious  

character. The British spy... is otherwise known  by his code name 00.7 The answer: James Bond. Mark  

Twain, by the way, was known for his humor.  He's one of the most famous American authors.  

Personally, I enjoy the work of James Thurber  more. Thurber was also known for creating humor,  

but he saw it in funny places, like in the  context of marriage. We use "known for" to  

name the quality, feature, or skill that makes  a person or place memorable. Hawaii is known  

for its beautiful beaches. New England is  known for its cold winters. What is your  

hometown known for? Tell me in the comments.  Here's a final quiz. Name the city or country  

based on my hint. One. This beautiful European  capital is known as the City of Light. Paris,  

France. Two. Another European capital city  is known for its canals and art, including  

works by Van Gogh and Rembrandt. Amsterdam in the  Netherlands. Three. Visitors flock to see Machu  

Picchu up in the Andes, but the capital city  of this country is also known for its beauty,  

history, and culture. Lima, Peru. Four. This  island country and city-state is known for having  

the world's best airport. It even has a waterfall  and a butterfly garden! Singapore. By the way,  

there's another variation we can consider  here. We can say this island country and  

city-state is known to have the world's best  airport. We can use "known" + an infinitive.

Do you want to quiz me and other viewers  on famous people and places? Go ahead and  

write your own question. You have to use  "known" + a preposition. That's all for  

now. Please like and share the video if  you found the lesson useful. Remember.  

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