having a broad knowledge of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "having a broad knowledge of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone’s extensive understanding or familiarity with a particular subject or field. Example: "She is highly regarded in her profession for having a broad knowledge of environmental science."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Not only did Kinsella have the haziest grasp of finance – "People used to ask me for advice, and I'd say, 'Please, don't ask me!' Yes, I did economics at Oxford, but that's not the same as having a broad knowledge of personal finance" – but she also found the job crushingly dull.

The Guardian - Books

Having a broad knowledge of such security solutions is a prerequisite not only to proposing new solutions, but also to further advancing, re-using and adapting existing solutions to future publish/subscribe architectures.

Computers & Security

Women who were cared for in the private sector were more likely to be categorized as having a broad knowledge of the risks of overweight and obesity.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Patelson stayed up late pricing inventory and had a broad knowledge of music.

The New York Times

People attempting the puzzles not only need excellent maths skills but must have a broad knowledge of the English language as well as some French.

The Guardian

Applicants should have a broad knowledge of the health, welfare, education and other aspects of public policy and an ability to write clearly and perceptively about them.

The Economist

Mr. Davidson, who had a broad knowledge of global capital markets, patiently walked him through collateralized debt obligations, yield and risk curves, and the growing amount of international capital in need of a home.

The New York Times

Worse, if there were a Pakistani invasion of a newly independent Kashmir, war with India would surely follow.Tony McArdle, Tipperary, IrelandThe bonus of BonnevilleSIR – The writer of the article on British universities has a broad knowledge of the subject ("Hustling spires", August 7th).

The Economist

For the use of PCM in building constructions, it is necessary to have a broad knowledge of the thermo-physical properties to support adequate design/optimization approaches.

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

Also, "they may not have a broad knowledge of all the journals in the field that might be suitable," says Curry, so they may not know where to turn when rejected by the most selective journals.

Science Magazine

While the contract manager usually has a broad knowledge of the travel business in general, collecting and processing specific information about travel suppliers is usually a time and cost expensive task.

Decision Support Systems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's expertise, use "having a broad knowledge of" to indicate familiarity with many aspects of a subject. Follow it with specific examples to demonstrate the depth and breadth of their understanding.

Common error

Don't rely solely on "having a broad knowledge of" without providing concrete examples or evidence. This can make the statement sound vague and unsubstantiated. Always follow with details that illustrate the scope of knowledge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having a broad knowledge of" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe the quality or extent of someone's understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically correct and serves to indicate competence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "having a broad knowledge of" is a grammatically correct and neutral way to describe someone's comprehensive understanding of a subject. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage. While not exceedingly common, it appears across various fields like news, science, and business. To make it more impactful, provide specific examples that showcase the depth and breadth of the knowledge being described. Alternatives like "possessing extensive knowledge of" or "demonstrating a wide understanding of" can offer nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possessing extensive knowledge of

Replaces "having" with "possessing" and "broad" with "extensive", emphasizing the act of owning a wide scope of knowledge.

demonstrating a wide understanding of

Shifts the focus to actively showing or proving a comprehensive understanding instead of just possessing knowledge.

exhibiting a comprehensive grasp of

Substitutes "knowledge" with "grasp" to suggest a more complete understanding, and "broad" with "comprehensive".

commanding a general awareness of

Emphasizes a position of control or authority over a general understanding.

maintaining a holistic perspective on

Highlights an all-encompassing viewpoint instead of specific facts or skills.

displaying a versatile command of

Replaces "knowledge" with "command", implying skill and control, and "broad" with "versatile" to highlight adaptability.

showing familiarity with a range of

Indicates a comfortable acquaintance with a variety of topics rather than deep expertise.

being well-versed in a spectrum of

Implies a cultivated and thorough understanding across many areas.

having a panoramic view of

Uses a metaphorical expression to indicate an extensive and all-encompassing understanding.

knowing the ins and outs of

Suggests an intimate and practical understanding of details and complexities.

FAQs

What does it mean to "have a broad knowledge of" something?

To "have a broad knowledge of" something means to possess a wide-ranging understanding that covers many aspects of a particular subject or field. It suggests familiarity with the key concepts and principles without necessarily implying deep expertise in every detail.

How can I demonstrate that I "have a broad knowledge of" a topic?

You can demonstrate that you "have a broad knowledge of" a topic by providing specific examples, discussing related concepts, and showing an understanding of the overall context. Use details to illustrate the scope of your understanding.

What are some alternatives to saying "having a broad knowledge of"?

You can use alternatives like "possessing extensive knowledge of", "demonstrating a wide understanding of", or "exhibiting a comprehensive grasp of" depending on the context.

Is it better to "have a broad knowledge of" something or a deep knowledge?

Whether it's better to "have a broad knowledge of" something or a deep knowledge depends on the situation and your goals. A broad knowledge is useful for general understanding and making connections between different areas, while deep knowledge is valuable for specialized tasks and in-depth problem-solving.