have little knowledge of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have little knowledge of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a lack of understanding or familiarity with a particular subject or topic. Example: "I have little knowledge of quantum physics, so I find it challenging to grasp the concepts discussed in the lecture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Egyptians or Bangladeshis have little knowledge of what Shias believe.

The Economist

The couple have little knowledge of architecture, but they became family friends.

The New York Times - Style

We have fewer staff but more managers, and they have little knowledge of the service.

The Guardian

Most New Yorkers, however, have little knowledge of his complex character as a priest and a religious leader.

The New York Times

A soap-opera producer slated for Hungary appeared to have little knowledge of the country she would be living in.

The Guardian

Trump was able to moblise the rural vote, one that generally all the elites mention but have little knowledge of.

The Guardian - Opinion

So many of the children of the city have little knowledge of what happened or what it means.

The New York Times

While Loyal's crew knows Wild Oats is the benchmark, they have little knowledge of the remaining super-maxi entrants in Scallywag and CQS.

The Guardian - Sport

He appeared to have little knowledge of key events and figures who played a prominent part in events that have consumed his company.

The Guardian

Students often have little knowledge of key elements in a country's history – such as the French Revolution, or the fact that France is a republic.

The Guardian

The second category is composed mainly of illegal Arab immigrants who have little knowledge of the culture and language of their host country.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have little knowledge of", ensure that the context clearly indicates the specific subject or area where knowledge is lacking. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "have little knowledge of" when complete ignorance is implied. Instead, use phrases like "are completely unaware of" or "have no knowledge of" to convey the absence of information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have little knowledge of" functions as a verb phrase expressing a state of limited understanding or awareness regarding a specific subject or topic. It indicates a deficiency in one's comprehension, as Ludwig AI examples suggest in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have little knowledge of" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a limited understanding or awareness of a particular subject, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is versatile and suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While there are more emphatic alternatives for situations involving complete ignorance, this phrase is a useful and widely applicable tool for accurately conveying a limited grasp of a topic. It occurs frequently in scientific and news-related contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have a poor understanding of

Replaces "little knowledge" with "poor understanding".

lack familiarity with

Uses "lack" instead of "have little", and "familiarity" instead of "knowledge".

possess limited understanding of

Substitutes "have little knowledge" with a more formal expression using "possess" and "understanding".

are not well-versed in

Replaces "have little knowledge" with a more idiomatic expression.

scarcely know anything about

Emphasizes the minimal amount of knowledge.

are uninformed about

Focuses on the lack of information.

are largely ignorant of

Uses "ignorant" to convey a stronger sense of lacking knowledge.

are not conversant with

Uses a more formal and less common synonym for "familiar".

have a superficial grasp of

Indicates a shallow or incomplete understanding.

have a rudimentary awareness of

Suggests a very basic level of knowledge.

FAQs

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

You can use "have little knowledge of" to indicate a limited understanding of a topic. For example: "Students often have little knowledge of key elements in a country's history."

What's a good alternative to "have little knowledge of"?

Alternatives include "lack familiarity with", "possess limited understanding of", or "are uninformed about".

Is it better to say "have little knowledge of" or "have limited knowledge of"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "have limited knowledge of" may sound slightly more formal. The best choice depends on the context and desired tone.

What's the difference between "have little knowledge of" and "are ignorant of"?

"Have little knowledge of" indicates a lack of information, while "are ignorant of" suggests a more profound lack of awareness, often with negative connotations.