Known for means famous for something, recognised because of it. After for, you name what a person, place or thing is known for: a quality, a product, a habit. If it's an action, the verb takes -ing: known for answering quickly.
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be (well/best) known for + noun/-ing; known as + name/role; known to + person
- This café is known for its cinnamon buns, so there's always a queue at weekends.
- Our new manager is known for answering emails within an hour.
- The region is best known for its wine and quiet mountain villages.
What changed
First versionThis town is known by its old stone bridge.
RevisionThis town is known for its old stone bridge.
By can seem right, as if the bridge were the way the town is known. But known by usually means known to someone or known under a certain name. What a place is famous for is introduced by for.
Known as means known under a name or in a role: Edinburgh is known as the Athens of the North. Known for means known because of something: Edinburgh is known for its summer festival. There's also known to, meaning known to someone: The problem is known to the managers.
Your turn
This small Italian city is ___ its ham and cheese, so we tried both at the market.
Show the answer
known for — Ham and cheese are what the city is famous for, so known for. Known as goes before a name or role, and nobody calls the city “ham and cheese”.
Describe the town where you live or grew up. Say what it's known for and what you'd recommend trying.
My hometown, Tula, is known for its gingerbread, and I always tell visitors to try the one with jam inside.
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