incomplete knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'incomplete knowledge' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase to highlight that someone does not possess all the necessary information on a topic. For example, "The student didn't do well on the test because of their incomplete knowledge of the material."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The findings also highlight incomplete knowledge about the role bats play in many ecosystems.

The New York Times - Science

It's not about taking responsibility for a decision "in unpredicted circumstances, based on incomplete knowledge" — that's politics, said Aron.

The New Yorker

Testifying in favor of the Delaney Clause, Wilhelm Hueper, an influential cancer researcher, advocated "precaution" in the face of incomplete knowledge.

The New Yorker

For those of us who have an incomplete knowledge of the Graham repertory, these are hard times in which to judge several of these dances.

The New York Times - Arts

This led him to advocate the thesis that even the object of error is real error is really incomplete knowledge and correction of error is really completion of incomplete knowledge.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A more plausible explanation for the discrepancy between a cooling lower troposphere and a warming surface is incomplete knowledge.

The Economist

Moreover, all such instant judgments are based not only on incomplete knowledge but also on untestable what-ifs.

The Economist

This, together with our incomplete knowledge of what to expect in the thermonuclear regime, makes ITER a risky project.

The Economist

All three types of uncertainty come from incomplete knowledge.

Structural Safety

There is incomplete knowledge of PSA testing patterns.

European Urology

However, this hypothesis could not be tested because of the incomplete knowledge of XA catabolism.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing research limitations, clearly state how "incomplete knowledge" impacts the study's conclusions and potential future directions.

Common error

Avoid using "incomplete knowledge" to suggest a total lack of understanding. Instead, clarify the specific areas where knowledge is lacking or limited.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incomplete knowledge" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of lacking complete information or understanding about a particular topic. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various fields such as science, news, and media.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "incomplete knowledge" is a commonly used and grammatically correct term to describe a state of lacking complete information or understanding. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions primarily as a noun phrase and serves to acknowledge limitations or justify further investigation. Its usage spans across various fields, with a strong presence in scientific, news, and encyclopedic contexts. To ensure clarity, it's important to use "incomplete knowledge" to specify the areas where understanding is limited rather than implying complete ignorance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inadequate knowledge

Focuses on the insufficiency of knowledge for a specific purpose.

partial understanding

Emphasizes that only a portion of the subject is understood.

limited awareness

Highlights a restricted scope of understanding or consciousness.

fragmentary information

Suggests the information available is broken into disconnected pieces.

sketchy grasp

Implies a superficial or vague understanding.

deficient expertise

Underscores a lack of necessary skill or proficiency.

imperfect comprehension

Highlights the flawed or incomplete nature of understanding.

patchy data

Suggests data is unevenly distributed or of varying quality.

tentative conclusion

Highlights the provisional nature of a conclusion drawn from limited evidence.

preliminary information

Indicates that the information is initial and may be subject to change.

FAQs

How can I express the idea of "incomplete knowledge" in a more formal way?

In formal writing, you could use phrases like "limited understanding", "partial information", or "deficient expertise" to convey a similar meaning to "incomplete knowledge".

What is the difference between "incomplete knowledge" and "insufficient knowledge"?

"Incomplete knowledge" suggests that some information is missing, while "insufficient knowledge" indicates that the available information is not enough to make a decision or draw a conclusion. The nuance lies in whether data exists but is lacking versus whether the existing data is simply inadequate.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "incomplete knowledge"?

The phrase "incomplete knowledge" is suitable in various contexts where there's a lack of comprehensive information, such as scientific research, historical analysis, decision-making, and risk assessment. It is used when the full picture is not available, influencing conclusions or actions.

What are some common causes of "incomplete knowledge" in scientific studies?

Common causes of "incomplete knowledge" in scientific studies include limitations in data collection methods, "lack of funding", technological constraints, and the complexity of the phenomena being studied. These factors can hinder a comprehensive understanding and contribute to gaps in knowledge.