a preliminary knowledge of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a preliminary knowledge of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to a basic understanding of a concept or subject that someone is gaining prior to a more in-depth study. For example, you could say "I am starting to gain a preliminary knowledge of psychology as I prepare for college courses."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Theories of torque can become complex because they need to have a preliminary knowledge of engineering, as well as a company training to implement this.

Procedia Computer Science

In the first approach, supervised classification, the single images to be compared are classified separately, based on a preliminary knowledge of training areas for the different classes.

Open Geospatial Data, Software and Standards

Consequently, we have only a preliminary knowledge of the distribution of genetic diversity from merely a handful of amphibian species in the megadiverse upper Amazon.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

However, in this study we provided evidence indicating that the use of these new agents in multimodal treatment of OS must be considered in association with conventional chemotherapy and based on a preliminary knowledge of the presence of possible mechanisms of resistance (most of all the ABCB1 expression level) in each patient, which may limit the efficacy of this approach.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

An advantage of this study is that our methodological approach includes the adoption of a preliminary knowledge dissemination plan to be confirmed by all the researchers, both academic and non-academic, as well as by the partners.

BMC Health Services Research

We have developed a preliminary knowledge base for qualitative reasoning about containers, expressed in a sorted first-order language of time, geometry, objects, histories, and actions.

Artificial Intelligence

Although there are a number of different approaches to equipment selection, the basic principle is to use a limited amount of data about the purpose of the process and some preliminary knowledge of the process feed stream separability together with a form of inference mechanism such as a selection chart or table.

Solid-Liquid Separation Equipment Selection and Process Design

Proper netiquette requires some knowledge of the culture of a group in which one chooses to participate; therefore, preliminary knowledge of the group, gained from lurking, is beneficial.

Britannica

19 However, preliminary knowledge of activity for at least a few active compounds is required for the selection of the correct cluster.

Advances and Applications in Bioinformatics and Chemistry

The panel's last report noted that preliminary knowledge of such feedbacks suggested that an additional 100 billion to 500 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions would have to be prevented in the next century to avoid dangerous global warming.

The Washington Post

The author justifies the selection of a density-based algorithm due to its unconstrained behavior to the preliminary knowledge of the scanned scene and its independence from the varying density of the points.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating that a more in-depth study will follow, use "a preliminary knowledge of" to set expectations for the level of understanding being presented.

Common error

Avoid overstating your level of understanding. Using "a preliminary knowledge of" implies a foundational understanding, not mastery. Don't use it when you possess extensive expertise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a preliminary knowledge of" functions as a noun phrase. It describes a state of understanding or awareness, often indicating a starting point for further learning. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a preliminary knowledge of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a basic or initial understanding of a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Analysis of Ludwig examples reveals that it appears frequently in scientific, encyclopedic, and news contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, remember that it sets expectations for a foundational understanding, not comprehensive expertise. Alternatives like "an initial understanding of" or "a basic grasp of" can provide similar meaning with subtle differences. Overall, "a preliminary knowledge of" is a versatile phrase for accurately conveying your level of understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an initial understanding of

Focuses on the 'beginning' aspect of knowledge rather than its preparatory nature.

a basic grasp of

Emphasizes understanding over formal knowledge.

a rudimentary awareness of

Highlights a very basic level of consciousness or perception of something.

a superficial acquaintance with

Implies a brief and shallow engagement with the subject matter.

an introductory insight into

Stresses a first glimpse or perception into a topic.

a passing familiarity with

Suggests a casual and non-committal level of knowledge.

a working knowledge of

Indicates sufficient knowledge to perform basic tasks.

a limited understanding of

Directly points out the restricted scope of comprehension.

a nascent awareness of

Highlights the early stages of developing awareness.

a thumbnail sketch of

Compares the knowledge to a brief and incomplete overview.

FAQs

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

You can use "a preliminary knowledge of" to indicate a basic or initial understanding of a subject before delving into more complex details. For example, "Having "a preliminary knowledge of" data structures is helpful before learning algorithms".

What's the difference between "a preliminary knowledge of" and "a deep understanding of"?

"A preliminary knowledge of" indicates a basic understanding, while "a deep understanding of" signifies comprehensive and thorough comprehension. The former is an introduction; the latter is mastery.

What can I say instead of "a preliminary knowledge of"?

You can use alternatives like "an initial understanding of", "a basic grasp of", or "a rudimentary awareness of" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a preliminary knowledge of" in formal writing?

Yes, "a preliminary knowledge of" is suitable for formal writing when you want to accurately represent your level of understanding as introductory or foundational.