an incomplete knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an incomplete knowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a lack of full understanding or information about a particular subject or topic. Example: "His theories were based on an incomplete knowledge of the historical context, leading to flawed conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Without that you have an incomplete knowledge base.

The New York Times

What if that impression, O'Lideadha continued, gathering steam, was based on an incomplete knowledge of the facts?

The New York Times - Magazine

For those of us who have an incomplete knowledge of the Graham repertory, these are hard times in which to judge several of these dances.

The New York Times - Arts

The conclusions drawn from these preliminary studies, however, are based on an incomplete knowledge of the variation in the regions examined.

The American Journal of Human Genetics

It's like being a doctor who is OK with hearts but doesn't know what to do when you break a leg – it feels like an incomplete knowledge of your trade".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Within the context of seasonal hydrologic predictions, these uncertainties can be attributed to three causes: imperfect characterization of initial conditions, an incomplete knowledge of future climate and errors within computational models.

Journal of Hydrology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Inferred depth is non-unique, dependent on choice of model and optimisation method, as well as a normally incomplete knowledge of crustal properties, and can trade-off with estimated volume change (e.g., Masterlark, 2007; Hickey and Gottsmann, 2014).

Journal of Applied Volcanology

Our understanding of the rhs gene family has been hampered by a very incomplete knowledge of global sequence diversity, due in part to the characterisation of rhs in E. coli K12, which, as should now be clear, has a relatively meagre and unrepresentative rhs repertoire.

BMC Genomics

That a person has incomplete knowledge about a certain topic does not imply without further assumptions that there is some specific fact she does not have knowledge of.

SEP

This is not a question of incomplete knowledge – of knowing that a friend might be at the cinema or the restaurant, but not knowing which.

University of Chicago

This gap may be a modeling artifact due to incomplete knowledge of an organism, or a remnant that used to be functional in an ancestor of the organism.

BMC Systems Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an incomplete knowledge", be specific about what area the knowledge is lacking in to provide clarity and context for your reader.

Common error

Avoid drawing definitive conclusions or making broad generalizations based solely on "an incomplete knowledge". Acknowledge the limitations and potential for further information to change the understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an incomplete knowledge" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes the state of having partial or insufficient information about something. As seen in Ludwig examples, it often qualifies limitations or shortcomings in understanding.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

23%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an incomplete knowledge" is a noun phrase used to describe a situation where understanding or information is lacking. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, especially in science, news, and academic writing. It serves to acknowledge limitations, explain tentative conclusions, and highlight the need for further investigation. While alternatives like "limited understanding" or "partial information" exist, the specific choice depends on the desired nuance. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the area where knowledge is lacking and avoid overstating implications based solely on incomplete data.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited understanding

This alternative emphasizes the restricted scope of comprehension.

partial information

This alternative highlights the lack of complete data or facts.

fragmentary knowledge

This suggests that the knowledge is broken or in pieces.

imperfect understanding

This conveys that the comprehension is flawed or not fully accurate.

superficial grasp

This indicates a shallow or surface-level understanding.

rudimentary awareness

This suggests a basic or initial level of familiarity.

patchy understanding

This implies that understanding is inconsistent and uneven.

deficient knowledge

This emphasizes the lacking or insufficient nature of the knowledge.

sketchy information

This conveys that the information is vague and lacks detail.

underdeveloped knowledge

This suggests that the knowledge is not fully formed or advanced.

FAQs

How can I use "an incomplete knowledge" in a sentence?

You can use "an incomplete knowledge" to describe a situation where understanding or information is lacking. For example, "The study's conclusions were limited by an incomplete knowledge of the long-term effects."

What are some alternatives to "an incomplete knowledge"?

Alternatives include "limited understanding", "partial information", or "fragmentary knowledge", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "incomplete knowledge" or "lack of knowledge"?

While both phrases are valid, "incomplete knowledge" suggests that some information is present but not comprehensive. "Lack of knowledge" implies a complete absence of information. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the situation.

How does "an incomplete knowledge" affect decision-making?

"An incomplete knowledge" can lead to flawed decisions and unintended consequences. It highlights the importance of gathering sufficient information and acknowledging the limits of one's understanding before taking action.