an extensive knowledge of

USAGE SUMMARY

"an extensive knowledge of" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means having a great or thorough understanding of a particular subject or topic. You can use this phrase when you want to emphasize the depth or breadth of someone's knowledge on a specific topic or subject. Example: As a professor of history, he has an extensive knowledge of ancient civilizations and their cultural influences on modern society.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor: An evil sociopath armed with vast resources and an extensive knowledge of science who is Superman's nemesis.

Wikipedia

He also has an extensive knowledge of music beyond the standard repertory.

The Guardian - Books

Bloomfield, who has an extensive knowledge of botany and husbandry, started asking Boggs about his vegetables.

The New Yorker

Fagunwa's imagery, humour, wordplay, and rhetoric reveal an extensive knowledge of classical Yoruba.

Britannica

Mr. Hild might be the rare person who has an extensive knowledge of electronics recycling.

The New York Times

She had an extensive knowledge of art and antiquities from cultures all over the world.

The New York Times

She has an extensive knowledge of Istanbul hotels and restaurants, and ways to keep small children busy in the city.

The Guardian - Travel

He has an extensive knowledge of fish and he knows where to get things on short notice.

The New York Times

He was a muscular, soft-spoken man, with steady eyes, who rarely minced words and had an extensive knowledge of the drug business.

The New York Times

The software appears to have an extensive knowledge of Mills & Boon-style novellas but zero grasp of 1980s feminism and the Greenham Common women's peace camp.

The Guardian

The reference for Villatora said Baird had "always known Walter to be a person of integrity with an extensive knowledge of business and political processes".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "an extensive knowledge of" with quantifiable results or specific examples to demonstrate the practical application and value of the knowledge.

Common error

Avoid using "an extensive knowledge of" without providing evidence or context to support the claim. Be specific about what the person knows and how they apply that knowledge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an extensive knowledge of" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It indicates possession of a broad and detailed understanding, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

22%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an extensive knowledge of" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe someone's deep understanding or expertise in a particular subject. Ludwig examples show its widespread use in news, scientific, and academic contexts. The phrase is appropriate for formal and professional settings, and can be replaced with alternatives like "a comprehensive understanding of" or "a deep understanding of" to add variety to your writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and effectively communicates a high level of knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a comprehensive understanding of

This alternative suggests a complete and thorough grasp of the subject matter.

a deep understanding of

This emphasizes the depth of comprehension rather than the breadth of knowledge.

a thorough grasp of

This implies a firm and complete hold on the knowledge or subject.

a mastery of

This indicates a high level of skill and expertise in a particular area.

a wealth of knowledge about

This highlights the abundance and richness of the person's knowledge.

a profound insight into

This suggests a deep and insightful understanding, often going beyond surface-level knowledge.

a considerable expertise in

This emphasizes the person's skill and experience in a specific field.

an impressive command of

This highlights the person's ability to use and apply their knowledge effectively.

a broad familiarity with

This suggests a wide-ranging, though possibly less deep, understanding.

significant awareness of

This refers to a notable understanding and consciousness of specific facts or situations.

FAQs

How can I use "an extensive knowledge of" in a sentence?

You can use "an extensive knowledge of" to describe someone's expertise in a particular field. For example, "The consultant has "an extensive knowledge of" marketing strategies."

What are some alternatives to saying "an extensive knowledge of"?

Alternatives include "a comprehensive understanding of", "a deep understanding of", or "a thorough grasp of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "extensive knowledge in" or "extensive knowledge of"?

"Extensive knowledge of" is the correct and more commonly used phrase. "Extensive knowledge in" is less idiomatic and may sound awkward to native English speakers.

What level of formality is "an extensive knowledge of" appropriate for?

The phrase "an extensive knowledge of" is suitable for both professional and academic contexts. It is generally considered a formal and neutral expression.