insufficient knowledge of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "insufficient knowledge of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone's limited understanding or awareness of a certain subject or topic. For example: He failed the test due to his insufficient knowledge of trigonometry.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

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

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

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

Doctors in other countries often "protect" families by making life-or-death decisions independently, but perhaps with insufficient knowledge of or respect for a patient's wishes.

The New York Times

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

Exclusion criteria were insufficient knowledge of Danish language or the patient lacking time.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Insufficient knowledge of the field distribution inside the specimen will lead to wrong results.

Scattering Scattering and Inverse Scattering in Pure and Applied Science

There is insufficient knowledge of flap haemodynamics, physiology and wound healing properties in reverse-flow flaps.

Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery

This is partly due to insufficient knowledge of the ecology of these species at the seedling stage.

Environmental and Experimental Botany

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "insufficient knowledge of", specify the area where knowledge is lacking to provide context and clarity. For instance, "insufficient knowledge of data privacy laws".

Common error

Avoid using "insufficient knowledge of" without specifying what the knowledge is insufficient about. This can lead to vague and uninformative statements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "insufficient knowledge of" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or verb by indicating a deficiency in understanding or information. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating its use in various contexts, highlighting its role in explaining causes, exclusions, or limitations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

69%

News & Media

19%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "insufficient knowledge of" is a commonly used and grammatically correct prepositional phrase that indicates a deficiency in understanding or information. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted in written English. It is most frequently found in scientific and news-related contexts, serving to explain limitations or causes of problems. When using this phrase, it's best to specify the subject of the insufficient knowledge to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "limited understanding of" and "lack of awareness regarding" can be used to provide subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deficient understanding of

Similar to "insufficient knowledge", but emphasizes a more significant lack.

limited understanding of

Focuses on the restricted scope of comprehension rather than a complete lack of knowledge.

scant knowledge of

Indicates a minimal or barely adequate amount of knowledge.

lack of awareness regarding

Highlights the absence of consciousness or familiarity with a particular subject.

inadequate grasp of

Emphasizes the incomplete or deficient nature of one's comprehension.

poorly informed about

Focuses on the state of being inadequately educated or briefed about something.

rudimentary knowledge of

Suggests a basic or elementary level of understanding.

superficial understanding of

Implies a shallow or incomplete level of comprehension.

narrow understanding of

Emphasizes the restricted breadth or scope of comprehension.

limited expertise in

Highlights a restriction in practical skill or specialized knowledge.

FAQs

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

You can use "insufficient knowledge of" to indicate a lack of understanding or information about a particular subject. For example, "The project failed due to their insufficient knowledge of the market trends."

What are some alternatives to "insufficient knowledge of"?

Alternatives include "limited understanding of", "lack of awareness regarding", or "inadequate grasp of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Both phrases are acceptable. "Insufficient knowledge of" implies that there is some knowledge, but not enough, while "lack of knowledge of" suggests a complete absence of knowledge. The best choice depends on the context.

What's the difference between "insufficient knowledge of" and "superficial understanding of"?

"Insufficient knowledge of" indicates a general lack of information. "Superficial understanding of" implies that the person has some understanding but it is not deep or complete.