The Department (did know of the claims VS did know the claims)
SCRIPT
Although the British Foreign Ministry did not know that both countries claimed the region, the American State Department did know of the competing claims,

QUESTION
Can I say "the Amercian State Departement did know the competing claims?" by excluding "of" from the sentence?

Actually I've always wondered how different they are.
(Between including "of" and excluding "of")

Interchangeable? or slightly different in using?

Question

The Department (did know of the claims VS did know the claims)
SCRIPT
Although the British Foreign Ministry did not know that both countries claimed the region, the American State Department did know of the competing claims,

QUESTION
Can I say "the Amercian State Departement did know the competing claims?" by excluding "of" from the sentence?

Actually I've always wondered how different they are. 
(Between including "of" and excluding "of")

Interchangeable? or slightly different in using?

Answer

Knowing of, is knowing about the existence of those claims.

Knowing claims, means you know what those claims ARE.

Subtle, but two different meanings.

Answer

Adding of makes it slightly different.

If you say, "Bob has heard the bell" and "Bob has heard of the bell" those are two different meanings. One means he actually heard it and the other means he has heard things about the bell.

Answer

You must use of.
know of = 知悉
know of = you have a knowledge of something
know = have the experience of something

Answers · 3

Still haven’t found your answers?

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn a language from the comfort of your own home. Browse our selection of experienced language tutors and enroll in your first lesson now!