at whose knee

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at whose knee" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to someone who has been taught or influenced by another person, often in a nurturing or formative context. Example: "She learned the art of storytelling at the knee of her grandmother, who was a masterful narrator."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

At whose knee was he taught?

The New York Times

Or was it when the mentor at whose knee he'd learned to trade commodities blew his brains out after a single mistake erased his net worth?

Forbes

Fred, on the other hand, became a protégé of Lee Atwater, Reagan's very own political guru, at whose knee he apprenticed in the fine art of oppositional research, honing a skill set that has made him a master of the Information Age campaign.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

So he's gone now, gone with giants of the game at whose knees I learned my journalism: Abe Rosenthal, Arthur Gelb, Punch Sulzberger, George Barrett, Louis Silverstein.

Huffington Post

Without Henry's counterpart at forward, Luke Rodgers, whose knee injury left him sidelined Wednesday night, the Red Bulls figured to lose some offensive punch.

The New York Times - Sports

Yesterday it was Andrew Strauss, who will miss the final Test; at the end of the Test it will be Michael Vaughan, whose knee complaint may prevent him returning at all.

The Guardian - Sport

It could be argued that the measure in its current form might not fully represent the concerns of this slightly different population of patients whose knee OA is generally at an earlier stage.

BMJ Open

In an interview, Dr. Rogozinski read a letter from a woman whose knee he replaced 10 years ago.

The New York Times

The officer, whose knee was injured, was taken to Maimonides Medical Center, where he was in stable condition.

The New York Times

After the game, Burress, whose knee had bothered him during the week, wept on national television.

The New York Times - Sports

Later, Ms. Pisciotto, whose knee ached, turned down Dr. Weinstein's offer to see a movie.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at whose knee" to indicate a formative learning experience where someone gains knowledge or skills from a mentor or influential figure. It adds a touch of tradition and respect to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "at whose knee" in contexts where the learning is informal or self-taught. This phrase implies a structured or mentorship-based learning environment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at whose knee" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb, indicating where or from whom someone has learned or gained experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at whose knee" is a prepositional phrase used to describe a learning environment where someone gains knowledge or skills from an influential mentor. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and, while not very common, it is most frequently found in news and media sources. Alternatives like "under the tutelage of" or "mentored by" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey. It's best to avoid using the phrase in informal contexts or when describing self-taught learning experiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the feet of

Similar in meaning, evokes a sense of reverence and respect for the teacher.

learned from

Highlights the act of gaining knowledge or skills.

taught by

Directly indicates instruction from someone.

instructed by

Formal way of saying someone was taught by another.

mentored by

Highlights the role of a mentor in guiding someone's development.

guided by

Focuses on receiving direction and advice.

under the tutelage of

Emphasizes formal instruction and guidance; more structured.

coached by

Implies active training and skill development.

influenced by

Broader term suggesting impact on one's thinking or actions.

under the wing of

Suggests protection and guidance from a more experienced person.

FAQs

How can I use "at whose knee" in a sentence?

Use "at whose knee" to describe someone learning from a mentor or influential figure. For example, "She learned the art of negotiation "at whose knee" her father, a seasoned diplomat, sat".

What are some alternatives to "at whose knee"?

You can use alternatives such as "under the tutelage of", "mentored by", or "taught by" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "at whose knee" a formal or informal expression?

"At whose knee" leans towards the formal side, suggesting a structured learning or mentorship relationship. While understandable in informal contexts, it is more appropriate in formal writing or when describing traditional learning environments.

What does "at whose knee" imply about the learning experience?

It suggests a close, formative learning experience where knowledge or skills are passed down directly from an experienced individual. It emphasizes the mentor's role in shaping the learner's development.