be conversant about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be conversant about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's familiarity or knowledge regarding a particular subject or topic. Example: "To excel in this role, you must be conversant about the latest industry trends and technologies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

If you want to be conversant about genera and families, these volumes will give you a framework.

The New York Times - Books

In a world where geopolitical boundaries often explain little about the people that live within them, where we may read about Kurd and Khmer in the same newspaper and be expected to be conversant about each -- if not conversant in each -- Dalby's single, information-packed volume helps us make sense of the rich mosaic of world languages.

Stanford University

You need to be conversant about the most commonly performed operas.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Many Puebla residents are conversant about the 1862 battle and how naval forces from Great Britain, Spain, and France traveled to Mexico to negotiate various financial debts.

Huffington Post

What King and Ekey agree upon is that the Obama Administration understands the connection between economies and environment and the President himself is conversant about the value of wilderness.

Huffington Post

They were expected to be information rich about the community and the hospital [ 30] and be conversant with the context of the particular hospital services and how the people communicate with the hospital administration [ 31].

BMC Health Services Research

You should, however, be conversant with modern American art history.

The New York Times - Arts

Today, primatologists are likely to be conversant in molecular biology, genomics, linguistics, anthropology and evolutionary theory.

The New York Times - Books

"You also have to be conversant with the new media world.

The New York Times

Nowadays, smart-set types are expected to be conversant in European soccer.

The New York Times

Medical personnel must possess a current valid medical license and must be conversant in English.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be conversant about" when you want to emphasize a working knowledge of a subject, implying more than just basic awareness. For instance, "To succeed in marketing, you must "be conversant about" current social media trends."

Common error

Avoid using "be conversant about" when you actually mean fluency or mastery. "Conversant" implies a solid working knowledge, not necessarily expert-level skill. Don't say "He is "conversant about" quantum physics" if he's actually a leading researcher; say "He is an expert in quantum physics".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be conversant about" functions as a descriptive predicate adjective phrase. It describes the subject's state of having knowledge or familiarity with a particular topic. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase indicates more than just a superficial awareness; it implies a solid working knowledge.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be conversant about" is a phrase used to describe having a solid working knowledge of a subject. Ludwig examples show its presence in news, academic, and wiki contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the level of knowledge you intend to convey, differentiating it from mere familiarity or expert-level fluency. Alternatives like "be knowledgeable about" or "be familiar with" may be more appropriate depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be knowledgeable about

Changes the adjective "conversant" to "knowledgeable", focusing on the depth of understanding.

be familiar with

Replaces "conversant" with "familiar", suggesting a more general awareness rather than in-depth expertise.

be well-versed in

Highlights comprehensive knowledge acquired through learning.

be well-informed about

Emphasizes the aspect of being up-to-date and knowledgeable on a topic.

be versed in

Implies having extensive knowledge, often gained through study or experience.

have a good grasp of

Uses a more idiomatic expression to indicate understanding and competence in a subject.

have expertise in

Emphasizes specialized knowledge and skill in a particular area.

be proficient in

Focuses on skill and competence, suggesting an ability to use knowledge effectively.

be acquainted with

Suggests a basic level of knowledge or awareness.

be up to speed on

Indicates current awareness and understanding of recent developments.

FAQs

What does it mean to "be conversant about" something?

To "be conversant about" something means to be familiar with and knowledgeable about it, implying you have a good understanding and can discuss it intelligently.

What are some alternatives to saying "be conversant about"?

You can use alternatives like "be knowledgeable about", "be familiar with", or "have a good grasp of" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "be conversant about" or "be familiar with"?

"Be conversant about" tends to be slightly more formal than "be familiar with", suggesting a higher level of knowledge and understanding.

How do I use "be conversant about" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "It is important to "be conversant about" the company's policies before making any decisions" or "The new employee needs to "be conversant about" the latest industry trends".