Know vs. Find out, Discover, Realize, Learn ​

Know describes a state of knowing about something, a state that continues for a period of time, so it sounds strange to use the verb know when you are describing the moment a person first comes to know something.

Instead, find out, discover, and realize are usually better, as in the examples below.

Strange:

  • When I first knew my sister's secret, I was shocked.

Better:

  • When I first found out about my sister's secret...
  • When I first discovered my sister's secret...
  • When I first realized my sister's secret...

Find out and discover are used if you learn about something from an outside source, for example, if your find out your sister's secret by reading her diary.

Realize is better if you have come to know something as a process of your own thinking, (for example, if you realize what your sister's secret is after thinking about a recent conversation with her).

Learn can also be used to describe coming to know something. Here are some more examples.

Strange:

  • I was shocked to know that Japan is nearly last in the world in TOEFL scores.

Better:

  • I was shocked to find out that...
  • I was shocked to learn that...

Strange:

  • I felt sad to know how J.R. [the train company] does business.

Better:

  • I felt sad to discover how J.R. does business.