a general knowledge of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a general knowledge of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a broad understanding or awareness of a particular subject or field. Example: "Having a general knowledge of history can help you understand current events better."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Through the resulting division of labour, which is often very clear cut, men and women develop and generate specialized knowledge, even though they may retain a general knowledge of various activity areas.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

A general knowledge of meteorology is assumed.

Nature

Teacher certification requires just a general knowledge of reading.

The New York Times

Experts with only a general knowledge of his treatment suggest his prognosis is good.

The New York Times

"More often, it was based on a general knowledge of the person," Dr. Torke said.

The New York Times

Recommended preparation includes a general knowledge of theatre history, dramatic literature, performance theory, and theatre practice.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

More recently, lower federal courts have made clear that a mere general knowledge of a service operator that its service is being used for infringement does not support civil liability, absent such knowledge in a particular case, at least where the operator has made good faith efforts to prevent such activity.

Huffington Post

On the other hand, however, they felt that, since they were training to become a medical doctor and not a specialist, they should have a sound general knowledge of anatomy.

BMC Medical Education

My training as a pharmacist gave me a good general knowledge of many different areas of research and helps me keep the needs of a patient firmly in my mind.

Science Magazine

Currently, there are 72 different "MindTracks" available that give a well-rounded subject overview of a general knowledge topic in a variety of subject matters including politics, sports, pop culture, science and more.

TechCrunch

All students are expected, prior to entering on their dissertation work, to develop a broad general knowledge of the discipline.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a general knowledge of", ensure it aligns with the context. It's suitable when indicating a basic level of understanding is sufficient, rather than in-depth expertise.

Common error

Avoid using "a general knowledge of" when the context requires a more detailed or specialized understanding. Using a more specific term will help to avoid vagueness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a general knowledge of" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig examples demonstrate its role in indicating a foundational understanding necessary for various activities or fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

32%

News & Media

27%

Science

26%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a general knowledge of" is a noun phrase indicating a basic level of understanding, widely used across various fields like academia, news, and science. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. When writing, it's crucial to ensure that "a general knowledge of" aligns with the context; use it when a basic understanding suffices, and consider more specific terms when depth is required. Alternatives such as "a basic understanding of" or "a working knowledge of" can be more appropriate depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a basic understanding of

Focuses on the foundational aspect of knowledge.

a foundational awareness of

Highlights awareness on knowledge's initial stage.

a broad overview of

Highlights the breadth rather than depth of understanding.

a working knowledge of

Emphasizes practical application and competence.

an elementary understanding of

Suggests a simplified or introductory level of knowledge.

a concise understanding of

Focuses on a succinct comprehension.

a familiarity with

Suggests a casual acquaintance or awareness.

a rudimentary grasp of

Indicates a very basic, initial level of comprehension.

a superficial acquaintance with

Implies a lack of deep knowledge or expertise.

a passing acquaintance with

Conveys a brief or fleeting exposure to a topic.

FAQs

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

You can use "a general knowledge of" to indicate a basic understanding of a subject. For example, "Having "a general knowledge of" coding is helpful for website building".

What's a good alternative to "a general knowledge of"?

Alternatives include "a basic understanding of", "a broad overview of", or "a working knowledge of", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a general knowledge about" or "a general knowledge of"?

"A general knowledge of" is the correct and more widely accepted form. "A general knowledge about" is less common and can sound awkward.

When is "a general knowledge of" sufficient, and when is specialized knowledge needed?

"A general knowledge of" is suitable when a basic understanding is enough to perform a task or engage in a conversation. Specialized knowledge is necessary when in-depth analysis, problem-solving, or expert advice is required.