a wide-ranging knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a wide-ranging knowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has extensive and diverse knowledge in various subjects or areas. Example: "Her wide-ranging knowledge of history and culture made her an excellent tour guide."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The author displays a wide-ranging knowledge of production, consumption, natural resources and public policy.

The New York Times

He's the real thing: a brilliant songwriter with great taste and a wide-ranging knowledge of good music.

The Guardian - Music

Required to write to the tastes of her audience, Crawford nonetheless exhibits a wide-ranging knowledge and original vision.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He wasn't just a writer but a performer, too, a polymath with a wide-ranging knowledge about almost anything, who could talk to anyone.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Rabbi Ellenson, who has a wide-ranging knowledge of Orthodox and non-Orthodox traditions, will become the eighth president of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, which has 1,500 students on campuses in Cincinnati, New York, Los Angeles and Jerusalem.

The New York Times

There's no substitute for having a wide-ranging knowledge base, and there's no substitute for being familiar with the theories of the day, because that will help you refine your own thinking, help you fine-tune those theories that you have in your head, maybe even abandon certain theories that you have in your head, and adopt new theories.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

He was also entertaining and erudite company, with an extraordinary wide-ranging knowledge of literature and music.

The Guardian - Music

He had a more detailed and wide-ranging knowledge of ancient sculpture than any other artist of his day.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When we sat down in an interview room, I quickly realized he was an intelligent man, with the wide-ranging knowledge of an autodidact.

The New Yorker

The students who realise they are not going to make it in the media get to take some useful, wide-ranging knowledge into a different career.

The Guardian

Although his book is a biography of Rome, it is also an acutely written historical essay informed by his wide-ranging knowledge of art, architecture and classical literature, and a thought-provoking meditation on how gifted artists (like Bernini and Michelangelo) and powerful politicians and church leaders (like Augustus, Mussolini and Pope Sixtus V) can reshape the map and mood of a city.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's qualifications, use "a wide-ranging knowledge" to showcase their ability to understand and apply information across multiple disciplines, making them a versatile asset.

Common error

Avoid using "a wide-ranging knowledge" when referring to expertise within a narrow field. Instead, opt for terms like "deep expertise" or "specialized knowledge" to accurately reflect the individual's focused skill set.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wide-ranging knowledge" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying the noun "knowledge." It describes the breadth and scope of someone's understanding, indicating proficiency in multiple areas. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wide-ranging knowledge" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe someone with a broad and diverse understanding across multiple subjects. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for formal, neutral, and sometimes informal contexts, particularly in news, academia, and encyclopedic writing. While "a wide-ranging knowledge" effectively conveys breadth, it should be distinguished from "in-depth" or "specialized" knowledge, which denote expertise within a narrower field. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the scope of the individual's knowledge to avoid misrepresenting their qualifications. Alternatives like "extensive expertise" or "comprehensive understanding" may be more suitable depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comprehensive understanding

Emphasizes the thoroughness and completeness of the knowledge.

in-depth knowledge

Stresses the detailed and thorough nature of the knowledge.

substantial knowledge

Indicates a significant amount of knowledge.

extensive expertise

Focuses more on the depth of knowledge in a specific field.

considerable knowledge

Highlights the amount of knowledge as being noteworthy.

broad understanding

Highlights the breadth rather than the depth of knowledge.

diverse knowledge base

Implies knowledge across many different subjects.

encyclopedic knowledge

Suggests knowledge covering a vast array of topics, similar to an encyclopedia.

wide learning

Focuses on the process of acquiring broad knowledge through study.

general knowledge

Highlights knowledge that is not specific and has a more general meaning.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a wide-ranging knowledge" in a sentence?

Use "a wide-ranging knowledge" to describe someone's comprehensive understanding across multiple subjects. For example, "Her "wide-ranging knowledge" of history, science, and art made her an excellent quiz show contestant".

What are some alternatives to saying "a wide-ranging knowledge"?

You can use alternatives such as "extensive expertise", "comprehensive understanding", or "broad understanding" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "a wide-ranging knowledge" and "general knowledge"?

"A wide-ranging knowledge" implies a depth of understanding across multiple areas, whereas "general knowledge" typically refers to basic facts and information known by many people.

When is it appropriate to use "a wide-ranging knowledge" versus "in-depth knowledge"?

Use "a wide-ranging knowledge" when referring to knowledge across many areas, and "in-depth knowledge" when focusing on detailed, specialized understanding within a particular subject.