a decent knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

"a decent knowledge" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It means having a fair or sufficient amount of knowledge about something. Example: He has a decent knowledge of computer coding, but he wants to improve his skills even further.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

But without a decent knowledge of appraisal guidelines, that can be difficult to do.

The New York Times

Ross evidently spent several years in Japan in the early 1990s, and acquired a decent knowledge of the language.

The Guardian - Books

But it could just as easily have been covered by a theatre critic, albeit one with a decent knowledge of experimental practice.

The Guardian

Despite a decent knowledge base, established brands and a captive domestic market for consumer electronics, the big five have failed to bear the pain of a global downturn in the market for chips.

The Economist

She comes from an art background (having attended Parsons the New School for Design for two years) but her specialty - platinum - calls for a decent knowledge of chemistry: "I'm one of the few colorists who likes to do double-process blondes," she says.

The New York Times

"I don't believe any modern society can be built where the general public doesn't have a decent knowledge of math".

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

I think of myself as someone with a fairly decent knowledge of English literature, with one exception - until a couple of years ago I knew next to nothing about plays.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On a network, an advertiser has decent knowledge of a show's audience, but it's still a spray-n-pray approach.

Huffington Post

Have a decent subject knowledge.

WikiHow

A decent working knowledge of music theory will help a lot with transposing any instruments.

WikiHow

Could We Use FIfms to Teach the Ignorant About Mental Health?

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "a decent knowledge" with specific areas of expertise to show someone's qualified in a certain domain. For example: "She has a decent knowledge of SEO techniques so she can help us with website optimization"

Common error

Avoid using "a decent knowledge" when you actually mean expert-level proficiency. This phrase implies competence but not mastery. If someone is truly an expert, use terms like "extensive knowledge" or "mastery of" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decent knowledge" functions as a noun phrase acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes the level of understanding someone possesses in a particular area. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a decent knowledge" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood phrase used to describe a satisfactory level of understanding or skill. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and suitability for written English. While not indicating expert-level proficiency, it conveys competence. It is found across various domains, including news, wikis, and academic sources, suggesting broad applicability and a generally neutral register. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the level of expertise you intend to convey and consider alternatives like "a reasonable understanding" or "a working knowledge" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A reasonable understanding

Focuses on the adequacy of comprehension rather than the extent of information known.

A fair grasp

Emphasizes a basic but adequate understanding, suggesting a solid, elementary knowledge.

A solid understanding

Highlights the depth and reliability of knowledge, indicating a firm base.

A working knowledge

Implies sufficient knowledge to perform tasks effectively, not necessarily comprehensive.

A practical understanding

Focuses on the ability to apply knowledge in real-world situations.

An adequate command

Stresses proficiency and control over a subject matter.

A basic familiarity

Indicates a rudimentary level of knowledge, enough for simple tasks.

A sufficient acquaintance

Suggests a casual but adequate level of knowledge, not necessarily deep.

A rudimentary understanding

Emphasizes the fundamental nature of the knowledge, suggesting it is at an initial stage.

A moderate expertise

Highlights the skill level achieved, being more than just basic knowledge.

FAQs

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

Use "a decent knowledge" to describe someone's satisfactory understanding of a subject. For instance, "You need "a decent knowledge" of mathematics to solve this problem".

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

Alternatives include "a reasonable understanding", "a fair grasp", or "a working knowledge". These options convey a similar level of competence.

Is it better to say "a decent knowledge of" or "a good knowledge of"?

"A decent knowledge of" and "a good knowledge of" are often interchangeable, but "a decent knowledge" suggests a satisfactory level, whereas "a good knowledge" implies something slightly above average.

In what contexts is "a decent knowledge" most appropriate?

"A decent knowledge" is suitable in contexts where you want to convey that someone has sufficient understanding to perform tasks effectively but isn't necessarily an expert. It's commonly used in discussions about skills and qualifications.