great breadth of knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "great breadth of knowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has extensive and varied knowledge in a particular field or across multiple subjects. Example: "Her great breadth of knowledge in history and literature makes her an excellent candidate for the teaching position."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Although this model has generated a great breadth of knowledge on the physiology and function of the avian immune system, its applicability to passerine birds is dubious, as passerines express an altricial mode of development that differs dramatically from the precocial mode of development.

Plosone

General practice is a wide ranging specialty branch of medicine demanding great breadth of knowledge and skills.

Family Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

While schools in England encouraged students to specialize, Scottish schools traditionally aimed for a greater breadth of knowledge.

The New York Times

They will be made up of patients, doctors, nurses and other professionals - including those with inspection experience - to ensure they had greater breadth of knowledge.

BBC

The Dutch inter-university progress test is designed to test a greater breadth of knowledge than was needed to solve the questions in the video-cases [ 24].

BMC Medical Education

Clinicians' enhanced understanding of the wider determinants of health and their greater breadth of knowledge have been highlighted in other educational evaluations of public health master's programmes which cite broadening of how clinicians' view 'disease'[ 4].

Human Resources for Health

Recognizing the useful knowledge held by health system actors allows health policy and systems researchers to access a greater breadth of such knowledge, including practical, moral, and cultural wisdom drawn from lived experiences and accumulated understanding of health system realities [ 20] (Case studies 1 to 3).

Health Research Policy and Systems

Broad participation can bring a greater breadth of skills, knowledge, and expertise to a project and can also improve external validity of interventions and evaluation by recognition of the local knowledge of community members and practitioners (Bartholomew Eldredge et al., 2016, p. 10 11).

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

It will have great breadth of appeal because everyone relates to the war".

The Guardian

Considering the great breadth of the architectural enterprise, it may not even be the best source.

SEP

"His rise to the top of radio listenership in the United Kingdom was a great tribute to his breadth of knowledge and in particular his unique, very personal sense of humour".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "great breadth of knowledge" when you want to emphasize that someone's knowledge is not just deep, but also spans many different areas.

Common error

Avoid using "great breadth of knowledge" when "great depth of knowledge" is more appropriate. Breadth refers to the range of subjects known, while depth refers to the level of understanding within a particular subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great breadth of knowledge" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a complement or object within a sentence. It describes the extent and variety of someone's understanding or expertise. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "great breadth of knowledge" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a comprehensive and diverse understanding across multiple subjects. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English. While not as common as some alternatives, its usage spans various contexts, including science, news, and encyclopedias. When writing, remember to use this phrase when you want to emphasize the wide range of someone's knowledge, as opposed to the depth of their understanding in a specific area. Consider alternatives like "extensive range of knowledge" or "wide-ranging expertise" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extensive range of knowledge

Emphasizes the wide scope of knowledge possessed.

wide-ranging expertise

Focuses on the comprehensive nature of someone's skills and knowledge.

comprehensive understanding

Highlights a thorough grasp of a subject matter.

broad knowledge base

Implies a solid and wide foundation of knowledge.

versatile knowledge

Emphasizes the adaptability and varied nature of the knowledge.

considerable knowledge

Focuses on knowledge volume and highlights that it is of a great degree.

vast amount of knowledge

Indicates a large quantity of information and understanding.

wide spectrum of knowledge

Implies a coverage of diverse subjects and information.

generalized knowledge

Indicates broad but not necessarily deep understanding.

general knowledge

Indicates basic familiarity with a wide array of subjects.

FAQs

How can I use "great breadth of knowledge" in a sentence?

You can use "great breadth of knowledge" to describe a person, field, or resource. For example, "Her "great breadth of knowledge" made her an excellent contestant on the quiz show".

What are some alternatives to "great breadth of knowledge"?

Alternatives include "extensive range of knowledge", "wide-ranging expertise", or "comprehensive understanding", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to have a "great breadth of knowledge" or a great depth of knowledge?

Neither is universally better; it depends on the situation. "Great breadth of knowledge" is valuable in roles requiring interdisciplinary thinking, while great depth is crucial for specialized expertise. Consider your specific needs when choosing between the two.

What does "great breadth of knowledge" imply about a person's expertise?

It suggests the person has a comprehensive understanding across various fields or topics, rather than deep specialization in a single area.