meaning of "know of"

[Nessie]

Hi, please have a look at this sentence:

Not wanting anyone to know of her return, Meggie rode out to Drogheda on the mail truck with old Bluey Williams.

=> Can we omit "of" in the sentence above? and what's the difference between the two versions?
I personally think we shouldn't omit "of", but either using "of" or replacing "of" with "about" may be all right.

Thank you in advance.
Nessie.
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... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know..

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

[Barb_D]

I agree that replacing it with "know about" is okay.

[Pamela]

Spot on, Nessie.

[Nessie]

Thanks a lot, Barb and Pamela
But could you please tell me why omitting "of" or "about" make the sentence wrong? I know it is, but I just can't explain.
_________________
... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know..

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

[Alan]

Hi Nessie,

'Know' with a direct object indicates having firsthand knowledge of. By adding prepositions such as 'of' and 'about' you are removing the 'firsthand' element. 'Know of' suggests having information of perhaps through a secondary source. 'Know about' again indicates having information of but not in any detail.

In your sentence:Not wanting anyone to know of her return ... the meaning here is similar to 'hearing/learning about'. Similarly 'know about' can be used here. But you can't really 'know her return' because the word 'return' is too vague here to be a direct object of 'know' You would have to create a dependent sentence as: 'know that she had returned/was returning'.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story A day in the life of a parliamentary candidate

[Nessie]

Thank you so much for your very clear explanation, Alan
Nessie.
_________________
... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know..

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...