have a working knowledge of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have a working knowledge of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone's familiarity or competence with a particular subject or skill. Example: "To apply for this position, you should have a working knowledge of programming languages such as Python and Java."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Bernie was endearing, but he didn't even have a working knowledge of the business".

The New York Times

On some of our jobs in the Americas you need to have a working knowledge of Spanish.

The Guardian - Money

I always make sure I eat something and have a working knowledge of what happened in sports that day.

The New York Times - Magazine

I think I would like to be really connected, and at least have a working knowledge of how to tell stories, and I dare say even entertain.

The New York Times

Originally our pairing tests were done entirely in Java and we often expected candidates to have a working knowledge of Java prior to joining.

The Guardian

Too few academics have a working knowledge of both the size of a royal fruit pile and the relative bulk of a snake.

The Guardian - Books

You have a working knowledge of Photoshop (or at least Photoshop Elements) and you share pictures with family members at Ofoto.

The New York Times - Tech

A "designated person" – who must not be involved in the investigation and who must have a working knowledge of human rights legislation – is approved to access those details.

The Guardian

While Vastera's customers say the software has helped streamline their compliance procedures, they caution that users must still have a working knowledge of trade laws and restrictions.

The New York Times

I feel confident that the majority of my readers have a working knowledge of Hindi, so why lose the beauty of a particular phrase through clumsy translation?

The New York Times

He expects you to recognise the subdominant of the subdominant, have a working knowledge of Caravaggio, Rubens and Rembrandt and be able to differentiate your hypotyposis from your pathopoeia, your vollkommenheit from your vollstimmigkeit.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing required skills for a job, use "have a working knowledge of" to indicate the level of proficiency needed for day-to-day tasks, rather than deep expertise. For example, "Candidates should have a working knowledge of Microsoft Excel."

Common error

Avoid using "have a working knowledge of" when you mean to convey deep expertise or mastery. This phrase indicates basic competence, not advanced skill.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have a working knowledge of" functions as a verb phrase that indicates possession of a certain degree of practical understanding or competence in a particular area. Ludwig AI confirms the usability of this expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have a working knowledge of" is a versatile and commonly used expression that indicates a practical understanding or basic competence in a particular area. Ludwig AI confirms that this expression is correct and usable in written English. It's frequently found in news, science, and business contexts, as it effectively communicates the required level of understanding for various tasks and roles. Remember to use this phrase when you want to indicate that someone needs to be competent but not necessarily an expert. Alternatives include "have a sound understanding of" or "have familiarity with", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have a working understanding of

Interchanges "knowledge" with "understanding", suggesting a comprehension based on practical experience.

have a good working knowledge of

Adds emphasis on the quality of the knowledge, suggesting a slightly higher level of proficiency.

possess practical knowledge of

Emphasizes the actionable and applied nature of the knowledge.

have a sound understanding of

Focuses on comprehension and grasp of concepts, implying a deeper level of insight compared to working knowledge.

have a good knowledge of

Similar meaning, but omits the "working" aspect, which implies practical application.

have familiarity with

Indicates a basic awareness or acquaintance, implying a less in-depth knowledge compared to "working knowledge".

be versed in

Implies a comprehensive knowledge gained through study or experience, more formal than "working knowledge".

be proficient in

Highlights skill and competence in a specific area, with a focus on demonstrated ability.

have skills in

Shifts the focus from knowledge to practical abilities and competence in a specific area.

have expertise in

Denotes a high level of skill, proficiency, or specialized knowledge in a particular field.

FAQs

How can I use "have a working knowledge of" in a sentence?

You can use "have a working knowledge of" to describe someone's familiarity or competence with a particular subject or skill. For example, "To apply for this position, you should "have a working knowledge of" programming languages such as Python and Java."

What are some alternatives to "have a working knowledge of"?

You can use alternatives like "possess a practical understanding of", "have a sound understanding of", or "have familiarity with" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "have a working knowledge of" or "have a working understanding of"?

Both ""have a working knowledge of"" and "have a working understanding of" are correct and largely interchangeable, though "knowledge" emphasizes information and facts, while "understanding" emphasizes comprehension and insight.

What level of expertise does "have a working knowledge of" imply?

"Have a working knowledge of" suggests a basic level of competence, sufficient for practical application, but not necessarily indicating deep expertise or mastery. It means you can use or apply something effectively.