a reasonable knowledge of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a reasonable knowledge of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone's level of understanding or familiarity with a particular subject or topic. Example: "To apply for this position, you should have a reasonable knowledge of programming languages and software development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Well, that and a reasonable knowledge of the street signs".

The New York Times

When I admitted to a reasonable knowledge of the language, he seemed delighted.

The Guardian - Travel

But these scenes also slow things down – merely repeating what anyone with a reasonable knowledge of the history would already know.

The Guardian

He also reported that, while in the company of scientists he would expect them to have a reasonable knowledge of, say, the works of Shakespeare, in the company of those from the humanities he would hardly ever obtain an understanding of the laws of thermodynamics.

The Guardian

But the modern football fan in possession of a conscience and a reasonable knowledge of the horrific statistics about injuries suffered by players comes to resemble a nacho-scarfing version of St. Augustine, who, faced with his own lust, addresses God: "Lord, let me be pure . . . but not yet".

The New Yorker

Transport energy planning is not possible without a reasonable knowledge of past and present energy consumption and likely future demands.

Energy Policy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

If you do receive an interview with the company, it will look great to the interviewer if you have a reasonable knowledge and background of the company.

WikiHow

In order to understand the principles and operation of electrical engineering, a reasonable knowledge in magnetic circuits and transformers is very much needed.

Electric Renewable Energy Systems

Public awareness of infectious diseases plays an important role in disease control; a lack of reasonable knowledge of infectious diseases leads to low detection rates, the interruption of treatment, discrimination and stigma.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Specifically, we reiterate that contributory liability may potentially be imposed only to the extent that Napster: (1) receives reasonable knowledge of specific infringing files with copyrighted musical compositions and sound recordings; (2) knows or should know that such files are available on the Napster system; and (3) fails to act to prevent viral distribution of the works.

The New York Times

Despite their reasonable knowledge of HIV/AIDS, their knowledge of chlamydia, another STI, was poor.

BMC Women's Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When stating required qualifications, use "a reasonable knowledge of" to indicate a necessary but not necessarily expert-level understanding. For example: "The candidate should possess a reasonable knowledge of data analysis techniques."

Common error

Avoid using "a reasonable knowledge of" when describing a role that requires expert-level proficiency. Using stronger terms such as "expert-level proficiency", "extensive knowledge", or "mastery of" ensures clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a reasonable knowledge of" functions as a noun phrase, specifying the extent of one's understanding or expertise in a particular area. Ludwig provides several examples across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

31%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a reasonable knowledge of" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone's level of understanding. As Ludwig AI points out, it is suitable for indicating a competent level of understanding without implying expert proficiency. Examples from Ludwig show its use in diverse fields such as science, news, and general guides. Related phrases include "a solid understanding of" and "a good grasp of", offering alternative ways to express similar ideas while avoiding overstating expertise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sound understanding of

Emphasizes the depth and reliability of the understanding.

a solid grasp of

Highlights a firm and secure comprehension of the topic.

a good command of

Implies a high degree of control and expertise.

a working knowledge of

Suggests practical and functional understanding.

a basic understanding of

Indicates a foundational level of knowledge.

a familiarity with

Implies acquaintance with the subject matter.

a decent understanding of

Similar to "reasonable" but slightly more informal.

an adequate knowledge of

Suggests that the knowledge is sufficient for a specific purpose.

a fair understanding of

Indicates a moderate level of comprehension.

some knowledge of

Implies a limited but present understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "a reasonable knowledge of" to describe someone's level of understanding or familiarity with a particular subject. For example, "Applicants should have a "reasonable knowledge of" current marketing trends."

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a solid understanding of", "a good grasp of", or "a working knowledge of".

Is it better to say "reasonable knowledge about" or "reasonable knowledge of"?

"Reasonable knowledge of" is the correct and more common usage. "Reasonable knowledge about" is less idiomatic.

How much expertise does "a reasonable knowledge of" imply?

The phrase suggests a competent understanding that is sufficient for general tasks but does not necessarily imply expert-level skill or comprehensive understanding.