basic knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

"basic knowledge" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to rudimentary facts or information that one should be familiar with. For example: "It is important to have a basic knowledge of chemistry in order to understand how different elements combine together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They bring basic knowledge and we start from there".

The Guardian - Tech

Its also underperforms on access to basic knowledge," Green said.

The Guardian

You need a good working basic knowledge of statistics.

The New York Times

There's still basic knowledge to get out of the textbooks, but it's not enough".

The New York Times

"They have to maintain that basic knowledge if they want to maintain that license".

The New York Times

The knowledge required to remove the filters exceeded the basic knowledge of the operators.

The Guardian

Basic knowledge about flooding will help people avoid high-risk areas.

The Guardian

Predicting surf requires basic knowledge because each lakeshore develops waves under different circumstances.

The New York Times

Often emergency staff do not have basic knowledge of the disease.

The Guardian - Opinion

Staff were often badly trained, rude and lacked basic knowledge, MPs heard.

The Guardian

Worse, they added, most trainers have only a basic knowledge about dolphins.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a broad audience, ensure your text doesn't assume more than a "basic knowledge" of the topic. Define key terms and concepts to make the content accessible.

Common error

Avoid assuming your readers possess a certain level of expertise. Overestimating their "basic knowledge" can alienate them and prevent them from fully understanding your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basic knowledge" functions as a noun phrase, where "basic" modifies the noun "knowledge". Ludwig examples showcase its use in describing the required or existing level of understanding of a particular subject. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "basic knowledge" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase to express a fundamental understanding of a topic. As demonstrated in Ludwig's examples, it frequently appears across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general reference materials. While it’s considered a neutral register term, implying that it is appropriate for diverse audiences, users should still be mindful of the audience's likely prior understanding when using the phrase, as also indicated by Ludwig AI. Mastering its usage not only improves clarity but also elevates the effectiveness of communication by setting realistic expectations and ensuring accessibility for a broad readership.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rudimentary understanding

Replaces "basic knowledge" with synonyms that emphasize the foundational nature of the understanding.

foundational understanding

Highlights the role of the knowledge as a base for further learning.

elementary grasp

Suggests a simple and initial level of comprehension.

working knowledge

Implies enough knowledge to perform tasks effectively.

introductory knowledge

Focuses on the knowledge being an initial introduction to a subject.

general awareness

Indicates a broad but not necessarily deep understanding.

superficial acquaintance

Highlights that the knowledge is not very deep.

primary competence

Focuses on having a basic level of required skill.

nascent literacy

Highlights the initial stage of acquiring knowledge and skills.

core competence

Emphasizes essential skills and knowledge.

FAQs

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

"Basic knowledge" can be used to indicate a fundamental understanding of a subject, as in "A "basic knowledge of math" is essential for engineering" or "The course requires only "basic knowledge of English"".

What are some synonyms for "basic knowledge"?

Alternatives to "basic knowledge" include "rudimentary understanding", "foundational understanding", or "elementary grasp", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "basic knowledge" or "fundamental knowledge"?

Both "basic knowledge" and "fundamental knowledge" are correct, but "basic knowledge" is slightly more common. "Fundamental knowledge" may imply a slightly deeper level of understanding than "basic knowledge".

What's the difference between "basic knowledge" and "working knowledge"?

"Basic knowledge" refers to a general understanding of a subject, while "working knowledge" implies enough knowledge to apply the subject effectively in practical situations.