a font of knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a font of knowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that provides a wealth of information or insight. Example: "The professor was a font of knowledge, always ready to share fascinating facts and insights with his students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

For the last two decades of his life, Royal Knowlton served as a font of knowledge on the history of Ashford.

The New York Times

The following day we arrange to meet Malky Maclean, who is best-described as cultural oracle and a font of knowledge relating to all things Gaelic and Hebridean.

The Guardian - Travel

Stuart, our guide from Wilderness Scotland, is easy-going and unassuming, and also a font of knowledge and a meticulous safety checker.

The Guardian - Travel

"It was the first dirigible to come from Europe," said Mr. MacKay, a font of knowledge about all things pertaining to Long Island.

The New York Times

More significantly, some scientists worry that the heavy dose of genetic determinism embodied in many cultural messages about DNA is misguided and will lead the public to a fatalistic view of genetics, rather than embracing it as the future of medicine and a font of knowledge about the past.

The New York Times - Science

It is the best of his career, the work of a man with road-earned songwriting chops and a font of knowledge about peripheral, outlier purveyors of sophisticated, adult-oriented pop and jazz of the seventies and eighties, like Bryan Ferry, Miles Davis, and Lucio Battisti.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The affable owner, Laurent, is a font of local knowledge.

The Guardian - Travel

Harris is a great host and a font of island knowledge.

The Guardian - Travel

The English owner, who moved to Spain in the 1960s, is a font of local knowledge and can advise on how to explore the mountains on foot, by bike or horse, and can also organise excursions to other tucked- away villages such as Trevélez, the highest village in Spain, at the base of Mulhacén, its highest mountain.

The Guardian - Travel

We have turned the Internet from a font of quick knowledge to a font of garbage and the resulting mess is enough to make a news hound gag.

TechCrunch

Steve Livengood, the chief guide of the Capitol Historical Service, has seen him many times and is a font of ghostly knowledge.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a font of knowledge" to describe someone or something that offers a significant amount of information or understanding on a particular subject. This phrase is particularly effective when highlighting someone's expertise or comprehensive knowledge base.

Common error

Avoid using "a font of knowledge" to describe someone with superficial knowledge or a fleeting understanding. The phrase implies deep and extensive expertise, so reserve it for individuals or sources that truly embody a wealth of information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a font of knowledge" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a predicate nominative or appositive to describe a person or entity possessing extensive knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a font of knowledge" is a noun phrase used to describe someone or something with a substantial amount of information or expertise. According to Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct. While the phrase appears most frequently in "News & Media", it's also present in science-related content. Consider alternatives like ""a wealth of knowledge"" or ""a source of information"" for similar meanings. When using the phrase, ensure it aligns with the depth of knowledge being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a wealth of knowledge

Emphasizes the abundance of knowledge possessed.

a fount of knowledge

A synonym of "font", maintains the metaphorical richness.

a wellspring of knowledge

Similar to “a font”, but gives a sense of continuous creation and flow.

a vast store of knowledge

Emphasizes that the scope of knowledge possessed is immense.

a repository of knowledge

Highlights the storage and accessibility aspect of the knowledge.

a treasure trove of information

Similar to a wealth of knowledge, but more emphatic in its richness.

a source of information

A more straightforward and less metaphorical alternative.

an authority on the matter

Highlights the authoritative and reliable nature of the person's knowledge.

an expert in the field

Focuses on expertise rather than just the volume of knowledge.

a master of the subject

Indicates a high level of skill and understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "a font of knowledge" in a sentence?

You can use "a font of knowledge" to describe a person or resource that has a lot of information about a particular topic. For instance, "The librarian was "a font of knowledge" about local history."

What are some alternatives to "a font of knowledge"?

Some alternatives to "a font of knowledge" include "a wealth of knowledge", "a source of information", or "an expert in the field".

Is it more appropriate to say "a font of knowledge" or "a fountain of knowledge"?

"A font of knowledge" and "a fountain of knowledge" are both acceptable, but ""a font of knowledge"" is slightly more common. They both metaphorically describe someone or something with abundant knowledge.

What does it mean to describe someone as "a font of knowledge"?

Describing someone as ""a font of knowledge"" means they possess an extensive and readily available supply of information on a particular subject or range of subjects, making them a valuable resource for insights and understanding.