extensive background

USAGE SUMMARY

"extensive background" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone or something that has a lot of experience, knowledge, or history in a particular area. For example, "She has an extensive background in finance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Staub has an extensive background in cooking.

The New Yorker

She has an extensive background in human resources.

The New York Times

A fascinating compilation, with extensive background information included.

The Guardian - Music

He then detailed his extensive background in drug prevention.

The New York Times

Special branch sent them an extensive background report on Orwell.

The Guardian

It requires that participants have an extensive background in journalism.

Columbia University

Hambury has extensive background in MBA program administration.

Cornell University

She also has an extensive background in the private sector.

Princeton University

In my experience – extensive background in impro, limited background in the Improvathon – that is partly true.

The Guardian

Create an illustrated timeline of these space missions, including extensive background information on each partnership.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

IJH provided extensive background knowledge.

BMC Palliative Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's qualifications, use "extensive background" to immediately convey a strong foundation of knowledge and experience. It adds credibility and weight to their profile.

Common error

Avoid using "extensive background" if the person's experience is limited to a narrow field or a short period. It's more accurate to use terms like "some experience" or "basic knowledge" to avoid exaggeration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extensive background" functions as a noun phrase, where 'extensive' is an adjective modifying 'background'. It typically acts as a subject complement or an object of a preposition, providing descriptive information about someone's qualifications, skills or education. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "extensive background" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to highlight substantial knowledge, experience, or training in a specific area. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage, confirming that it is suitable for use in professional writing. As evidenced by numerous examples, it appears most commonly in News & Media, Academia, and Science contexts. While alternatives such as "broad experience" or "comprehensive knowledge" exist, "extensive background" is a versatile and authoritative choice for conveying expertise and qualifications. Remember to use this phrase accurately; avoid exaggerating the extent of someone's actual experience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comprehensive knowledge

Highlights the completeness and depth of understanding.

considerable experience

Indicates a significant amount of practical involvement.

broad experience

Focuses more on experience than knowledge or education.

substantial expertise

Stresses the high level of skill and knowledge.

wide-ranging expertise

Emphasizes the breadth of knowledge and skill.

in-depth understanding

Focuses on a deep and thorough grasp of a subject.

thorough grounding

Highlights a solid and complete foundational knowledge.

rich history

Emphasizes a long and varied past experience.

extensive training

Highlights formal education and skill development.

diverse skill set

Focuses on the variety and range of abilities.

FAQs

How can I use "extensive background" in a sentence?

You can use "extensive background" to describe someone's experience or knowledge in a particular field. For example, "She has an extensive background in finance" or "The company boasts an extensive background in technological innovation."

What can I say instead of "extensive background"?

You can use alternatives like "broad experience", "comprehensive knowledge", or "substantial expertise" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "extensive background in" or "extensive experience with"?

The choice depends on what you want to emphasize. "Extensive background in" typically refers to a wider range of knowledge and history, while "extensive experience with" focuses more on practical involvement. Use "extensive background in" when highlighting knowledge or academic qualifications and "extensive experience with" when highlighting professional qualifications.

How does "extensive background" differ from "considerable experience"?

"Extensive background" implies a broader and deeper understanding, potentially including formal education and diverse experiences. "Considerable experience", on the other hand, primarily focuses on a significant amount of practical involvement. Therefore, "considerable experience" focuses more on years of practice, and it is more suitable to highlight skills more than knowledge.