a close knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

"a close knowledge" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example, "This student has a close knowledge of the subject matter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The school librarian must have a close knowledge of and sympathy with the work of the teaching staff.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The statistics speak for themselves: there are, for example, approximately 90,000 tree species in the world; we have a close knowledge of only a few hundred.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Indeed, they are actively discouraged from doing so, in case a close knowledge of the subject makes them realise the book is less odd than it first appears.

The Guardian - Books

Come to think of it, though, there is probably no one who has such a close knowledge of Gwen Stefani, down to the pores of her powdered cheek.

The New York Times - Style

Mr. Thornton was among the bankers who advised Ford on that deal, but people with a close knowledge of the matter say the impetus to buy Jaguar came from Ford itself.

The New York Times

Managers stifled by big-company bureaucracy or unsettled by drug mergers may follow his lead.Although these defectors bring contacts and a close knowledge of the inner workings of the drug industry, they often struggle in the informal, more Spartan atmosphere of a biotech start-up.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

A source with close knowledge of the events said a large box was found by employees carrying out screening checks in the UPS facility.

The Guardian

The move was opposed by Mr. Cuomo, who preferred to recruit a party leader from upstate, according to a person with close knowledge of the disagreement.

The New York Times

A source with close knowledge of anti-gang efforts in the area said: "Our records do not show he was involved in gang activity".

The Guardian

A source with close knowledge of the Yard's thinking at the time said part of Wallis's attraction was his connection to Coulson, who was a leading aide to Cameron, then in opposition and expected to become prime minister.

The Guardian

But a person with close knowledge of various investigations relating to Olympus said that not only was Olympus adept at hiding its losses, but that the company might have received help from its banks misstate its financial position.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a close knowledge", ensure it's followed by "of" + the specific subject or area to which the knowledge pertains. For instance, "a close knowledge of history".

Common error

Avoid using "close knowledge" when you mean to say "gain knowledge." "Close" here is an adjective modifying "knowledge", not a verb indicating an action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a close knowledge" functions as a noun phrase, where "close" modifies the noun "knowledge". It typically acts as the object of a verb or follows a preposition like "of". As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

29%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a close knowledge" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as Ludwig AI confirms, indicating a deep and intimate understanding of a subject. While it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, it can also be used effectively in encyclopedic and scientific writing. When using the phrase, it is vital to specify the subject of knowledge (e.g., "a close knowledge of history"). Alternatives include "intimate understanding" or "thorough comprehension", which may be more appropriate depending on the context and desired nuance. While not exceedingly common, this phrase provides a specific way to express expertise or deep familiarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intimate understanding

Replaces "close knowledge" with a more emotional and personal connotation.

in-depth understanding

This alternative focuses on how detailed and thorough the understanding is.

thorough comprehension

Emphasizes the completeness and depth of understanding.

deep familiarity

Highlights the extent of acquaintance and experience.

profound insight

Indicates a significant and penetrating understanding.

intimate grasp

Suggests a profound and personal understanding.

extensive expertise

Focuses on the breadth and scope of knowledge in a specific field.

detailed awareness

Highlights the level of specificity and attention to detail in understanding.

complete command

Indicates mastery and full understanding of a subject.

comprehensive grasp

Emphasizes the ability to understand and handle complex information.

FAQs

How can I use "a close knowledge" in a sentence?

You can use "a close knowledge" to describe someone's expertise or deep understanding of a subject. For example, "The historian has "a close knowledge" of ancient civilizations".

What are some alternatives to saying "a close knowledge"?

Alternatives include "intimate understanding", "thorough comprehension", or "deep familiarity". For example, instead of saying someone has "a close knowledge of the subject", you could say they have an "intimate understanding" of it.

Is it better to say "close knowledge of" or "deep knowledge about"?

"Close knowledge of" typically implies a more thorough and nuanced understanding than "deep knowledge about". While both are acceptable, "close knowledge of" suggests a more intimate familiarity with the subject.

What does it mean to have "a close knowledge" of something?

Having "a close knowledge" of something means possessing a detailed, intimate, and comprehensive understanding of it. It suggests more than just a passing acquaintance; it implies a deep level of expertise and familiarity.