a practical knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a practical knowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to knowledge that is applicable and useful in real-world situations or tasks. Example: "Having a practical knowledge of coding can significantly enhance your problem-solving skills in technology-related fields."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

As a result, McQueen had a practical knowledge that was unusual 20 years ago, and would be unheard of now.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Constant Reader reviews "The Ideal System for Acquiring a Practical Knowledge of French" and "How To Get All You Want While Travelling in Spain".

The New Yorker

It is difficult, he says, to find the opportunity "to give all our design teams a practical knowledge of our future world, so that they can design to it".

The Guardian

The head of the Citizens Union, a good-government group not in the habit of praising Tammany men, declared that Smith "displayed a practical knowledge of the workings of state government not rivalled by anyone else".

The New Yorker

By Dorothy Parker The New Yorker, July 25 , 1931P. 55 The Constant Reader reviews "The Ideal System for Acquiring a Practical Knowledge of French" and "How To Get All You Want While Travelling in Spain".

The New Yorker

Besides just a practical knowledge of electronics, he adds, it's essential to be able to listen and communicate effectively.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

These results show that stories of experiences describe a contextual practical knowledge that the more experienced nurses develop as a natural and spontaneous response.

BMC Medical Education

The stories of experiences describe a contextual practical knowledge that the more experienced nurses develop as a natural and spontaneous response.

BMC Medical Education

By that time he had acquired a remarkable practical knowledge of constitutional matters and of important political personalities, among them Otto von Bismarck.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They are aware that I am a keen dance fan, indeed that I presented several television shows on the subject in the early 2000s, and that I have a basic, practical knowledge of the art.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We want people to leave the event on Saturday with a better practical knowledge about how to organise campaigns and work out strategies, but also with useful personal contacts for their activity and a sense they are part of a wider progressive movement".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, specify the area to which your "a practical knowledge" applies. For example, instead of stating 'He has a practical knowledge', specify 'He has a practical knowledge of carpentry'.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a practical knowledge" in one area automatically translates to expertise in another. While transferable skills exist, practical expertise is typically domain-specific.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a practical knowledge" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It describes the possession of skills and information that are useful and applicable in real-world situations, aligning with the Ludwig AI assessment of correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

40%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Science & Research

7%

The New York Times - Books

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a practical knowledge" is a correct and common phrase used to describe the possession of applicable skills and understanding. According to Ludwig AI, it’s applicable across diverse contexts—from News & Media to Science and general writing—signifying competence and capability. While grammatically sound, specifying the area of practical knowledge enhances clarity. Alternatives include "a practical understanding" or "a practical know-how". Ludwig examples highlight that it underscores competence in applying skills to solve real-world problems, and this phrase appears most frequently in authoritative sources like The Guardian, and Science Magazine.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a practical know-how

Replaces 'knowledge' with 'know-how', emphasizing the ability to do something effectively.

a practical understanding

Replaces 'knowledge' with 'understanding', indicating comprehension rather than just knowing facts.

a specific knowledge

Replaces 'practical' with 'specific', focusing on knowledge tailored to a particular area.

a concrete knowledge

Highlights that the knowledge is firm and well-defined, based on real experience.

a realistic knowledge

Underscores that the knowledge is based on real-world conditions, avoiding idealism.

a convenient knowledge

Substitutes 'practical' with 'convenient', implying that the knowledge is readily available and useful.

a practical awareness

Shifts the focus to being conscious and informed about practical matters.

a substantial knowledge

Highlights the large amount of practical information on a subject.

a practical information

Replaces 'knowledge' with 'information', suggesting a focus on facts and data rather than understanding.

a practical acquaintance

Emphasizes a familiarity with the subject that is hands-on, rather than theoretical.

FAQs

How can I demonstrate that I have "a practical knowledge" of a subject?

Provide specific examples of how you have applied your knowledge in real-world situations. Highlight projects, tasks, or challenges where your practical skills led to successful outcomes. Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible.

What's the difference between "a practical knowledge" and theoretical knowledge?

"A practical knowledge" focuses on applying skills and information to solve real-world problems, while theoretical knowledge involves understanding concepts and principles without necessarily having hands-on experience. The former is about 'knowing how', the latter about 'knowing that'.

What are some phrases similar to "a practical knowledge"?

You can use alternatives like "a practical understanding", "a practical know-how", or "a concrete knowledge" depending on the context.

In what fields is "a practical knowledge" particularly valuable?

"A practical knowledge" is highly valued in fields that require hands-on skills and problem-solving abilities, such as engineering, medicine, trades, and technology. Any field benefiting from applied expertise appreciates "a practical knowledge".