insufficient knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "insufficient knowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a lack of adequate understanding or information about a particular subject or topic. Example: "The team's decision was based on insufficient knowledge of the market trends, leading to poor outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Insufficient knowledge of chemotherapy side effects can result in life-threatening delays in seeking help when symptoms arise.

The Guardian

There is insufficient knowledge to quantify how much CO2 emissions could be partially offset by CDR on a century timescale.

The Guardian

The dozens of public thinkers Posner takes down are accused of everything from insufficient knowledge of British warplanes to ignorance of the anthropological literature on genital mutilation.

The New York Times - Books

For Deutsch, optimism — a topic to which he devotes a chapter — is "the theory that all failures — all evils — are due to insufficient knowledge".

The New Yorker

They occurred, at least in part, because their participants had an insufficient knowledge of, appreciation for and, yes, fear of the law.

The New York Times

The learners' verbalization can reveal learners' problems, insufficient knowledge, etc.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

There remains insufficient knowledge of fundamental controls on rift architecture.

Earth and Planetary Science Letters

This discrepancies suggest insufficient knowledge of high temperature quenching by H2O and N2.

Combustion and Flame

Many reasons account for these failures, including insufficient knowledge of the biology and inappropriate patient populations.

Science Magazine

In addition, there is insufficient knowledge for lateral compartmental OA in comparison to medial compartment OA.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

In Chile, there is insufficient knowledge about variation within and among provenances of N. glauca.

New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Quantify the impact of "insufficient knowledge" where possible. Instead of saying 'results were poor' say 'results were 20% below expectations.'

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the implications of "insufficient knowledge". Instead of claiming catastrophic results, focus on realistically detailing potential negative impacts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "insufficient knowledge" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. As shown by Ludwig, it describes a state of lacking adequate information or understanding. For example, "Insufficient knowledge of chemotherapy side effects can result in life-threatening delays."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

29%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "insufficient knowledge" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to express a lack of adequate understanding or information. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase sees frequent use in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. While "insufficient knowledge" is widely accepted, remember to be specific about the type of knowledge that is lacking and avoid exaggerating potential consequences. Alternatives like "limited understanding" or "inadequate information" can be used for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inadequate information

Highlights the lack of necessary data or facts.

limited understanding

Focuses on the extent of comprehension rather than the quantity of information.

deficient awareness

Emphasizes a lack of recognition or consciousness of something.

scant understanding

Indicates a minimal or barely adequate level of comprehension.

superficial comprehension

Suggests understanding that is not deep or thorough.

rudimentary grasp

Implies a basic or initial level of understanding.

patchy information

Highlights that the information available is incomplete and inconsistent.

lack of expertise

Focuses on lacking the skill or deep knowledge in a specific area.

incomplete data

Refers to missing or unfinished datasets, affecting analysis.

limited data

Indicates that the quantity of information available is reduced.

FAQs

How can I use "insufficient knowledge" in a sentence?

You can use "insufficient knowledge" to describe a situation where a lack of information leads to negative consequences. For example, "The project failed due to "insufficient knowledge" of the market."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "insufficient knowledge"?

Alternatives include "limited understanding", "inadequate information", or "deficient awareness" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "lack of knowledge" or "insufficient knowledge"?

Both "lack of knowledge" and "insufficient knowledge" are correct, but "insufficient knowledge" suggests that some knowledge exists, but it's not enough. "Lack of knowledge" implies a complete absence of information.

What kind of problems can arise from "insufficient knowledge"?

"Insufficient knowledge" can lead to poor decision-making, increased risk of errors, and difficulty in problem-solving. For example, "insufficient knowledge" of safety protocols can cause accidents.