have a basic knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have a basic knowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a fundamental understanding of a subject or topic. Example: "To apply for this position, you should have a basic knowledge of programming languages."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Before attempting any funny stuff, it's best to have a basic knowledge of the subject, and two good introductions have been launched this year.

The Guardian - Books

"What that says to me is that they have a basic knowledge of the pests, insects, weeds, diseases and the basic plant life cycles," Ms. Owen said.

The New York Times

"Theatregoers have become more ignorant since the 1970s, when playwrights could rely on them to have a basic knowledge of Shakespeare," he complained in a talk at the National Theatre, where his new play The Hard Problem has just opened.

The Guardian

Audiences have a basic knowledge of how movies are made& 8212everyone gets the idea of shooting and editing and the riffing of "Wanderlust," even when it's funny, comes virtually packaged with its offscreen space.

The New Yorker

Audiences have a basic knowledge of how movies are made& 8212everyone gets the idea of shooting and editing — and the riffing of "Wanderlust," even when it's funny, comes virtually packaged with its offscreen space.

The New Yorker

He accepted it was "part of his job as a match commander to have a basic knowledge of the layout of the stadium".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Well, her husband was convicted of all counts, and she wasn't just a passive participant; she signed the returns and the transcript shows she had a basic knowledge of what was taking place.

The New York Times

She checked to see that the sheep and stall were clean and the stall padded, that there was fresh water and that the children had a basic knowledge about the breed.

The New York Times

This paper presumes that the reader has a basic knowledge of machine learning concepts and workflows.

Journal of Big Data

The research data were obtained from about 25 people and took the form of a questionnaire that aimed to assess whether they had a basic knowledge of science, what they knew about biodigesters, and their attitude towards biodigester technology and science in general.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

But having a basic knowledge of foreign policy isn't a "higher standard"; it's a requirement for the job of president.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "have a basic knowledge", ensure that the context clarifies what level of understanding is sufficient. For instance, specify if it's enough for simple tasks or for more complex problem-solving.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "having a basic knowledge" implies competence beyond simple recall. Clearly define what someone with a "basic knowledge" should be able to do to avoid misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have a basic knowledge" functions as a verb phrase indicating the possession of a fundamental understanding of a particular subject. As Ludwig AI indicates, the expression is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Examples in Ludwig show its use in contexts ranging from technical skills to general awareness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

28%

Wiki

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have a basic knowledge" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a fundamental understanding of a subject. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and general discussions. While alternatives like "possess fundamental knowledge" or "have a rudimentary understanding" exist, the original phrase remains a versatile and widely accepted choice for conveying the idea of introductory-level comprehension. When using this phrase, defining the expected level of competence ensures clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possess fundamental knowledge

Replaces "have" with "possess" and "basic" with "fundamental", emphasizing ownership and importance of the knowledge.

have a foundational understanding

Replaces basic with foundational highlighting the importance of a bedrock knowledge

have a rudimentary understanding

Substitutes "basic knowledge" with "rudimentary understanding", highlighting the elementary nature of the comprehension.

have an elementary understanding

Similar to "rudimentary understanding", stressing the initial and uncomplicated level of knowledge.

have a working knowledge

Indicates a level of knowledge sufficient for practical application, implying functionality.

have introductory knowledge

Highlights that the knowledge is at a preliminary stage, suitable for beginners.

have a general awareness

Focuses on being informed about a topic, rather than possessing deep expertise.

have familiarity with

Highlights the difference between a high and basic level

be acquainted with

Suggests a familiarity with the subject matter, indicating a light understanding.

have a superficial grasp

Emphasizes that the understanding is not deep or thorough.

FAQs

How can I use "have a basic knowledge" in a sentence?

You can use "have a basic knowledge" to indicate a fundamental understanding of a subject. For example, "To participate in the workshop, you should "have a basic knowledge" of programming."

What can I say instead of "have a basic knowledge"?

You can use alternatives like "possess fundamental knowledge", "have a rudimentary understanding", or "have a general awareness" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "have a basic understanding" or "have a basic knowledge"?

Both "have a basic understanding" and ""have a basic knowledge"" are correct and often interchangeable. "Understanding" might imply a slightly deeper comprehension than "knowledge".

What's the difference between "have a basic knowledge" and "have a deep knowledge"?

"Have a basic knowledge" implies a superficial or introductory understanding, while "have a deep knowledge" indicates a thorough and comprehensive understanding of a subject.