complete knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

"complete knowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone has a thorough or comprehensive understanding of something. For example, "She gained complete knowledge of the legal system after attending law school."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Complete knowledge is just within our grasp.

The Guardian - Books

"But they don't have complete knowledge of what they're protesting.

The New York Times

Until the opera's conclusion, no character is granted complete knowledge.

The New York Times - Arts

There is more complete knowledge for the later Middle Ages.

Britannica

Another challenge is gathering more complete knowledge about a fire.

The New York Times - Science

Complete knowledge is very important for all of us!

Harvard University

Gödel's theorems seemed to have shattered this ideal of complete knowledge.

The New Yorker

They emphasize not what we have accomplished or have collected, but what is unknown or beyond our complete knowledge.

The New York Times - Arts

Paraphrasing Winston Churchill, he said, "You're always acting before you have complete knowledge, and that's where the risk is".

The New York Times

Dr. Khan said that the army had "complete knowledge" of the shipment of used P-1 centrifuges to North Korea.

The New York Times

"I think he's very capable, very experienced, with a complete knowledge of everything around football and its organisation," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "complete knowledge" when you want to emphasize a comprehensive and thorough understanding of a subject. It's particularly useful in contexts where detail and accuracy are important.

Common error

Avoid using "complete knowledge" in contexts where knowledge is inherently limited or constantly evolving. Recognize that in many fields, particularly those involving complex systems or human behavior, achieving "complete knowledge" may be unrealistic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complete knowledge" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "complete" modifies the noun "knowledge". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It typically serves to denote a thorough or exhaustive understanding of a particular subject or field.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "complete knowledge" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a thorough and comprehensive understanding. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for a wide range of contexts, from scientific research and news reporting to academic discussions and formal business communications. While aiming for complete understanding is admirable, remember that achieving true "complete knowledge" can be an unrealistic goal in many complex fields. Consider using alternatives like "thorough understanding" or "comprehensive understanding" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thorough understanding

Focuses on the depth of understanding rather than the breadth of knowledge.

comprehensive understanding

Highlights the extent to which something is understood.

exhaustive knowledge

Emphasizes the completeness and detail of the knowledge.

in-depth understanding

Stresses the intensity of comprehension.

profound understanding

Focuses on the depth and insight of the understanding.

total mastery

Highlights a high level of skill and knowledge.

full comprehension

Highlights the ability to fully grasp and understand something.

absolute certainty

Highlights the state of being without any doubt.

encyclopedic knowledge

Suggests a wide and varied range of information.

intimate familiarity

Stresses a close and personal level of understanding.

FAQs

How to use "complete knowledge" in a sentence?

You can use "complete knowledge" to describe someone's understanding of a subject. For example: "The scientist needed "complete knowledge" of the genome to develop the new therapy."

What can I say instead of "complete knowledge"?

Alternatives include "thorough understanding", "comprehensive understanding", or "exhaustive knowledge", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it possible to have "complete knowledge" of everything?

While aiming for a thorough understanding is valuable, achieving "complete knowledge" is often considered an ideal rather than a practical reality, especially in complex and evolving fields.

What's the difference between "complete knowledge" and "comprehensive knowledge"?

"Complete knowledge" suggests an understanding that leaves nothing out, while "comprehensive knowledge" indicates a broad and inclusive understanding. The distinction is subtle, but "complete" implies a higher degree of finality and thoroughness.