a cursory knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

"a cursory knowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an inadequate level of knowledge about something, especially knowledge that has been acquired quickly and without much effort. For example: "I have a cursory knowledge of French, so I had difficulty understanding some of the vocabulary in the article."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Such certainty comes easily to anyone who has a cursory knowledge of football's labyrinthine politics.

The Guardian - Sport

I had a cursory knowledge of the historical struggle between Israel and its Arab neighbours.

The Guardian

Schmoke and Ward have flair and credentials, but neither has more than a cursory knowledge of the Olympic committee.

The New York Times - Sports

ANYONE with a cursory knowledge of TV crime dramas knows the difference between the English and American legal systems.

The Economist

Students have only a cursory knowledge of film techniques and the workings of standard animation software like Flash, Dreamweaver and Photoshop when they begin.

The New York Times

Most political pundits – and anyone with even a cursory knowledge of our political discourse – recognize that our country has fallen victim to tribalism.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Even a pretty cursory knowledge of Islam reveals a long history of scientific development, the importance of reason, religious tolerance, the rule of law.

The Guardian - Opinion

I only had a very cursory knowledge of Elaine's work when we met at my hair salon on 57th Street.

HuffPost

"Anyone with an even cursory knowledge of the show Mad Men could imagine that very line coming from the mouth of Pete Campbell," Noxon said, referencing Weiner's alleged comment to Gordon.

HuffPost

Mr. Nederlander, described as a man who has cursory knowledge of baseball, said he was prepared to lean on George Steinbrenner for financial advice, which Mr. Steinbrenner will be allowed to lend under the guidelines of the agreement with Mr. Vincent.

The New York Times - Sports

She doesn't use a computer and has only cursory knowledge of her cellphone.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a cursory knowledge", clarify the areas where deeper understanding is needed. This sets expectations and highlights the scope of the current understanding.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a cursory knowledge" as comprehensive expertise. Doing so can mislead your audience about your actual level of understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cursory knowledge" functions as a noun phrase, where "cursory" modifies "knowledge". It indicates a superficial or basic level of understanding. Ludwig AI also confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

10%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a cursory knowledge" is a noun phrase used to describe a superficial or basic understanding of a topic. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and widely used, especially in news and media. When using this phrase, it's important to acknowledge the limitations of your knowledge and avoid overstating your expertise. Alternatives like "a superficial understanding" or "a limited grasp" can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a superficial understanding

Focuses on the lack of depth in understanding.

a basic familiarity

Emphasizes a simple, introductory level of knowing something.

a nodding acquaintance

Highlights a very slight and impersonal level of knowledge.

a limited grasp

Stresses the restricted or incomplete comprehension.

a passing acquaintance

Suggests a brief and not very detailed knowledge.

a rudimentary understanding

Implies a basic, initial stage of understanding.

a light awareness

Focuses on being only slightly informed or conscious of something.

a thumbnail sketch

Refers to knowing only the outline or basics.

a sketchy overview

Indicates an incomplete and possibly unreliable understanding.

a general impression

Emphasizes a vague and non-specific sense of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "a cursory knowledge" to indicate a basic or superficial understanding of a topic. For example, "I have "a cursory knowledge" of astrophysics, so I can't explain the details of black holes".

What's a good alternative to "a cursory knowledge"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a superficial understanding", "a basic familiarity", or "a limited grasp".

Is it better to say "cursory knowledge" or "superficial knowledge"?

Both "cursory knowledge" and "superficial knowledge" suggest a lack of depth, but "cursory" implies a quick, surface-level understanding, while "superficial" suggests a lack of thoroughness. The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean to have "a passing acquaintance" with a subject compared to having "a cursory knowledge"?

While both suggest a limited understanding, "a passing acquaintance" often implies a casual or brief exposure, while ""a cursory knowledge"" suggests a deliberate but shallow acquisition of information.