deficient knowledge of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deficient knowledge of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a lack or insufficiency of understanding or information about a particular subject or topic. Example: "His deficient knowledge of the subject matter became evident during the discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Due to our deficient knowledge of nature and to financial reasons, seismic risk cannot be eliminated.

Earthquake Hazard, Risk and Disasters

In particular, the likelihood of reporting non-willingness to naturalise increases if the respondent is old, male, single, low-educated, former migrant and has a deficient knowledge of the Latvian language.

IZA Journal of Migration

To address the current deficient knowledge of cellular responses due to CEIN exposures, we focused on the investigation of internalization profile and resulting cytotoxic effects of CEINs (0.0001 100 μg/ml) in murine glioma cells (GL261) in vitro.

Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces

This investigation explored the hypothesis that among general dental practitioners (GDPs), the performance of root fillings of substandard quality might be associated with deficient knowledge of factors important to the outcome of endodontic treatment.

Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology

At the patient's level, their GPs identified important barriers such as social isolation and deficient knowledge of diabetes.

BMC Family Practice

The deficient knowledge of staff about monitoring, poor reporting compliance, and limited use of local data for interventions was highlighted.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

This as well also reflected deficient knowledge on specific STIs and their respective symptoms, the mode of transmission, and consequences.

BMC Infectious Diseases

These observed perceptions suggest inadequate or deficient knowledge about the causes and pathophysiology of asthma on the part of the study's pupils.

BMC Public Health

As proved in several studies, deficient knowledge in women and patient's recognition of TB were statistically significant factors of diagnostic delay for TB [ 11, 21].

BMC Public Health

The unavailability of immunization cards and deficient knowledge among parents to keep cards safely was also indicated.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

Perceived hindrances were burdensome management, deficient knowledge, time-consuming application procedures and unclear effectiveness of nutrient reduction.

Journal of Environmental Management

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing sensitive topics or evaluating someone's understanding, consider using "limited knowledge of" instead of "deficient knowledge of" to soften the criticism.

Common error

Avoid using "deficit knowledge of" instead of "deficient knowledge of". "Deficit" refers to a shortage or lack, while "deficient" describes something that is not up to par or is inadequate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deficient knowledge of" functions as a noun modifier, describing the quality of the knowledge. It indicates that the knowledge is lacking or inadequate in some way. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

21%

Formal & Business

22%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "deficient knowledge of" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe a lack or insufficiency of understanding about a particular subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is generally correct. While not extremely common, it appears most frequently in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. When writing, consider the subtle difference between "deficient" and "deficit", and whether a more nuanced term like "limited knowledge" might be more appropriate. Use related alternatives such as "inadequate knowledge of" to further clarify meaning and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inadequate knowledge of

Replaces "deficient" with "inadequate", suggesting a similar lack of sufficient knowledge.

insufficient understanding of

Substitutes "knowledge" with "understanding" and "deficient" with "insufficient", focusing on comprehension.

patchy knowledge of

Implies knowledge is uneven or incomplete, rather than completely lacking.

unsatisfactory knowledge of

Indicates the level of knowledge is not meeting requirements or expectations.

weak knowledge of

Highlights the frailty or unreliability of the existing knowledge.

incorrect knowledge of

Indicates that the existing knowledge is wrong or inaccurate.

imperfect knowledge of

Suggests knowledge that is flawed or not fully complete.

incomplete knowledge of

Emphasizes the lack of all necessary information.

defective knowledge of

Suggests flaws in the knowledge base.

poor knowledge of

A general term for lacking adequate knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "deficient knowledge of" in a sentence?

You can use "deficient knowledge of" to indicate a lack of understanding or information. For example, "His deficient knowledge of the subject made it difficult for him to contribute to the discussion."

What are some alternatives to "deficient knowledge of"?

Alternatives include "inadequate knowledge of", "insufficient understanding of", or "limited knowledge of", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "deficient in knowledge of" or "deficient knowledge of"?

"Deficient in knowledge of" is grammatically correct, but "deficient knowledge of" is more concise and commonly used. Both are acceptable.

What is the difference between "deficient knowledge of" and "lack of knowledge of"?

"Deficient knowledge of" implies that some knowledge exists but is inadequate, while "lack of knowledge of" suggests a complete absence of knowledge. The choice depends on the specific context.