a wide knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a wide knowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has extensive understanding or information about a particular subject or a range of subjects. Example: "Her wide knowledge of history made her an excellent candidate for the teaching position."

✓ Grammatically correct

Britannica

The New York Times

Nature

Composites Part B: Engineering

The Guardian

The New Yorker

The Guardian - Sport

MIT Technology Review

The New York Times - Books

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An art director must have a wide knowledge and understanding of architecture.

Britannica

He had a wide knowledge of Eastern-European Yiddish folk music and Ashkenazi liturgical music.

The New York Times

He has an acute observation, a wide knowledge of his fellow-countryman, and a pretty sense of humour.

Nature

Everything that he wrote shows a wide knowledge of literature and an allusive and elegant literary style.

Britannica

In order to increase their exploitation, a wide knowledge of their mechanical behavior also in severe loading conditions is crucial.

Composites Part B: Engineering

It was a spectacular misjudgment: a wide knowledge of music does not neccessarily denote any musical ability, as countless awful bands fronted by music journalists have proved.

The Guardian

Where dramatists today often start writing straight from college, Wesker – like his contemporaries Harold Pinter and John Osborne – brought to theatre a wide knowledge of life.

The Guardian

Five years later he commanded the 38th Engineer Regiment, which had elements scattered across the world, enabling him to acquire a wide knowledge of military and political problems.

The Guardian

Butterflies were chosen because the public already has a wide knowledge as well as love for them, due to the proliferation of field guides.

The New York Times

Gavin was a good student and an Eagle Scout, and he picked up a wide knowledge of science and engineering from his parents.

The New Yorker

What is clear about the thrillers is that whoever wrote them had a wide knowledge of the American tough-guy school of detective fiction.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's qualifications or skills, using "a wide knowledge" emphasizes the breadth of their understanding across various subjects, making them a versatile asset.

Common error

Avoid using "a wide knowledge" when you actually mean "a deep knowledge". "Wide" refers to the breadth of knowledge, while "deep" refers to the level of understanding within a specific area. Make sure you are accurately representing the scope and depth of the knowledge you are describing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wide knowledge" functions as a noun phrase, where "wide" is an adjective modifying the noun "knowledge". It typically serves as a subject complement or an object in a sentence, describing the extent of someone's understanding or information base. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wide knowledge" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a broad understanding across various subjects. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While it emphasizes the breadth of understanding, it's important not to confuse it with "deep knowledge", which refers to expertise within a specific area. The phrase is versatile and suitable for various contexts, from news and media to science and encyclopedias. Related phrases like "extensive knowledge" or "broad understanding" can be used for similar meanings, each with slightly different nuances. By considering these aspects, you can effectively use "a wide knowledge" to accurately convey the scope of someone's expertise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extensive knowledge

Replaces "wide" with "extensive", emphasizing the breadth and depth of understanding.

broad understanding

Substitutes "knowledge" with "understanding", shifting the focus slightly to comprehension rather than just information.

comprehensive grasp

Uses "grasp" instead of "knowledge" and adds "comprehensive", suggesting a thorough and complete understanding.

considerable expertise

Replaces "knowledge" with "expertise", implying a high level of skill and competence in a particular area.

substantial awareness

Shifts from "knowledge" to "awareness", focusing on being informed and conscious of something.

deep insight

Emphasizes the profundity and understanding of underlying truths rather than just surface-level information.

profound erudition

Replaces simpler terms with more formal vocabulary, suggesting a high level of scholarly knowledge.

vast learning

Uses "learning" as a synonym for knowledge, highlighting the process of acquiring information.

informed perspective

Implies knowledge that shapes one's viewpoint and understanding of a subject.

well-versed

Uses a single adjective to describe someone possessing considerable knowledge in a particular field.

FAQs

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

You can use "a wide knowledge" to describe someone's broad understanding of various subjects. For example, "Her "wide knowledge" of art history made her a valuable consultant for the museum."

What's the difference between "a wide knowledge" and "a deep knowledge"?

"A wide knowledge" implies familiarity with many subjects, while "a deep knowledge" indicates a thorough understanding of a specific subject. Choose the phrase that best reflects the scope of the person's expertise.

Are there situations where using "a broad understanding" is better than "a wide knowledge"?

"A broad understanding" is often preferred when you want to emphasize comprehension and insight rather than just factual information. While "a wide knowledge" focuses more on the quantity of information known, "a broad understanding" emphasizes the ability to connect and apply that information.

What are some alternatives to "a wide knowledge" to describe expertise?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "extensive knowledge", "comprehensive grasp", or "considerable expertise" to convey a similar meaning with slightly different nuances.