a gap in knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

"a gap in knowledge" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can refer to a lack of understanding or information about a certain topic or subject. Example: "The scientists are working to fill the gap in knowledge about the effects of climate change on marine life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We didn't know that.' This political class is mainly professional politicians, and clearly there is a gap in knowledge".

The New Yorker

fans — the films talk up a gap in knowledge until it has become a "mystery," and then, urgently, the mystery is solved.

The New Yorker

A prison officer at the jail, speaking on condition of anonymity, spoke of a gap in knowledge between the relatively new staff and seasoned inmates.

The Guardian

The scrolls filled a gap in knowledge about religious beliefs and customs from the time when Judaism flourished and Christianity was still nascent in the region.

The Economist

What's needed beyond a gap in knowledge, Berlyne argued, is incongruity and surprise: something that seems to outright contradict what we already know, or to be otherwise extremely novel.

The New Yorker

This project filled a gap in knowledge about family experiences of having a relative in vegetative state, helping to inform changes in policy and practice and stimulating new conversations between the public, practitioners, and families.

The Guardian

Banks are unclear how to solve legal disputes that arise from interest-free finance, and there is a still a gap in knowledge about how to design appropriate products.

The Guardian

At the same time, there is a gap in knowledge about where and how people source food, and whether the products targeted by the fortification programme actually reach Tanzania's rural poor.

The Guardian

A Gap in Knowledge.

Science Magazine

However, it's not just money, but also a gap in knowledge of how to scale.

TechCrunch

This paper argues of a gap in knowledge in the understanding the political dynamics surrounding housing cooperatives today.

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a gap in knowledge" to clearly and concisely identify areas where information or understanding is lacking, particularly when proposing further research or investigation.

Common error

While "knowledge gap" is sometimes used, it's generally more grammatically sound and stylistically preferred to include the article "a" before the phrase, as in "a gap in knowledge".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a gap in knowledge" functions as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and common usage, indicating an area where information or understanding is lacking. This is frequently used to justify the need for further research or investigation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a gap in knowledge" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote areas where information or understanding is lacking. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and the examples illustrate its presence across diverse domains, including science, news, and formal business contexts. Its role extends to identifying the necessity of further research, solidifying its importance in academic and professional spheres. While related phrases such as "a lack of knowledge" and "a deficiency in knowledge" exist, "a gap in knowledge" maintains a unique and readily understandable meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A deficiency in knowledge

Replaces "gap" with "deficiency", emphasizing the lack of something necessary.

A lack of knowledge

Uses "lack" instead of "gap", directly stating the absence of knowledge.

A deficit in knowledge

Substitutes "gap" with "deficit", highlighting a shortfall or insufficiency in knowledge.

A gap in understanding

Replaces "knowledge" with "understanding", focusing on comprehension.

A gap in information

Replaces "knowledge" with "information", focusing on the data aspect.

A gap in research

Specifies the gap relates to research, pointing to areas needing further investigation.

A gap in awareness

Shifts the focus to a lack of consciousness or realization.

A gap in intelligence

Substitutes "knowledge" with "intelligence", referring to the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills.

A gap in recognition

Focuses on a failure to acknowledge or properly appreciate something.

A gap in scholarship

Relates the gap to academic study and learning.

FAQs

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

You can use "a gap in knowledge" to point out areas where information is lacking. For example, "There is "a gap in knowledge" about the long-term effects of this treatment." or "This research aims to fill "a gap in knowledge" in this field.

What phrases are similar to "a gap in knowledge"?

Similar phrases include "a deficiency in knowledge", "a lack of knowledge", or "a deficit in knowledge". These all indicate an absence of information or understanding.

Is it correct to say "knowledge gap" instead of "a gap in knowledge"?

While "knowledge gap" is understandable, using ""a gap in knowledge"" is generally considered more grammatically correct and stylistically formal in academic and professional writing.

How does "a gap in knowledge" differ from "a gap in understanding"?

"A gap in knowledge" refers to a lack of information or data, while "a gap in understanding" refers to a lack of comprehension or insight, even if the information is available. Understanding implies a deeper level of processing than simply possessing knowledge.