So, the question at hand is: “Unknow or Unknown – Which is Correct?” Well, let’s dive right in and explore the differences between these two words.
First, let’s start with “unknown.” This word is an adjective that is commonly used to describe something that is not known or familiar. It is used to refer to things or people that are not recognized or understood. For example, if you say, “I’m going on a trip to a remote, unknown island,” you are indicating that the island is not familiar or recognized. Another example would be, “The identity of the author of that letter remains unknown,” where unknown emphasizes that the author is not known or recognized.
On the other hand, we have “unknow.” Now, this word is not commonly used in standard English. In fact, you’ll rarely come across it in everyday speech or writing. Instead, it is considered to be archaic or obsolete. However, it does have some historical significance and can occasionally be found in poetic or literary works. For instance, William Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth” includes the line, “What is done is done, and cannot be undone,” where “undone” is used in the sense of “unknow.” Similarly, John Donne’s poem “Meditation XVII” contains the famous line, “No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main,” where “main” is used to mean “the unknown.”
In essence, the main difference between “unknown” and “unknow” lies in their usage and relevance in modern English. “Unknown” is a widely accepted and understood term that is regularly used to describe things or people that are not known or familiar. On the other hand, “unknow” is an archaic and rarely used term that can only be found in specific contexts, such as historical or poetic works.
To sum up, “unknown” is the correct and commonly used term in contemporary English to describe something or someone that is not known or recognized. “Unknow,” although it has some historical significance, is considered obsolete and is rarely used in modern English. So, if you want to communicate effectively and adhere to standard English usage, it’s best to stick with “unknown” and leave “unknow” as a relic of the past.