broad knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

"broad knowledge" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a person's broad understanding of a topic, subject, or issue. For example: "I'm looking for an employee with broad knowledge of the company's procedures and protocols."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

John had an incredibly broad knowledge.

The Guardian

The most effective teachers have broad knowledge of their subjects.

The New York Times

She succeeds through a combination of impressive intellect, broad knowledge and genuine sensitivity.

The New York Times - Books

Patelson stayed up late pricing inventory and had a broad knowledge of music.

The New York Times

"They all have a broad knowledge but also particular expertise of a different genre of music".

The Guardian

They have got to have broad knowledge of how stores work, as well as online sales".

The Guardian - Business

Walerstein was a general internist, admired for his broad knowledge of medicine.

The New York Times - Magazine

His broad knowledge, wit and good humour made him a brilliant conversationalist.

The Guardian

It is desirable that the physics major have a broad knowledge of general chemistry and that the chemistry major have a broad knowledge of general physics.

Columbia University

Melanchthon's broad knowledge of Scripture, theology, history, and linguistics is evident in it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

You also witnessed Mr. Slatkin's true forte: a mix of broad knowledge and compelling advocacy.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to highlight someone's comprehensive understanding across multiple domains, use "broad knowledge" to accurately convey their diverse expertise. It's concise and widely understood.

Common error

Avoid using "broad knowledge" when referring to deep expertise in a single, specific area. Instead, opt for phrases like "extensive knowledge" or "in-depth understanding" to convey the focused nature of their expertise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broad knowledge" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "broad" modifies the noun "knowledge". It describes the scope and breadth of someone's understanding or expertise across various subjects or areas. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase is usable and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

27%

News & Media

40%

Science

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "broad knowledge" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe a wide understanding across various subjects. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from diverse contexts, including academia, news, and science. While it's important to use it accurately, avoiding confusion with deep expertise in a single field, "broad knowledge" effectively conveys the idea of versatility and interdisciplinary understanding. Alternatives like "extensive understanding" or "wide-ranging expertise" can be used depending on the specific nuance required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extensive understanding

Replaces "knowledge" with "understanding" and "broad" with "extensive", focusing on comprehension rather than just awareness.

wide-ranging expertise

Substitutes "knowledge" with "expertise" to emphasize skill and competence across a variety of areas.

comprehensive grasp

Uses "grasp" instead of "knowledge" to denote a complete understanding, implying control over the subject matter.

vast learning

Replaces "knowledge" with "learning", emphasizing the process of acquiring a large amount of information.

eclectic understanding

Implies a knowledge gained from various sources and perspectives, highlighting its diverse nature.

general awareness

Replaces "broad knowledge" with a more general term, suggesting a basic understanding rather than in-depth expertise.

encyclopedic erudition

Substitutes with elevated vocabulary to signify comprehensive knowledge.

diverse skill set

Shifts the focus from knowledge to skills, highlighting the variety of abilities one possesses.

varied background

Highlights experience across different fields rather than specific knowledge within them.

well-rounded education

Focuses on the formal aspect of acquiring knowledge through a structured learning process.

FAQs

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

You can use "broad knowledge" to describe someone's understanding of various subjects, as in "She has a "broad knowledge" of history and literature".

What's the difference between "broad knowledge" and "extensive knowledge"?

"Broad knowledge" implies understanding across many different areas, while "extensive knowledge" suggests a deep understanding within a specific area. Use "extensive knowledge" when someone knows a lot about a particular subject.

What can I say instead of "broad knowledge"?

Alternatives include "wide-ranging expertise", "comprehensive grasp", or "general awareness", depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to have "broad knowledge" or "specialized knowledge"?

Neither is inherently "better"; it depends on the situation. "Broad knowledge" can be advantageous in roles requiring versatility and interdisciplinary thinking, while specialized knowledge is crucial for roles demanding deep expertise in a specific field.