keen knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

'keen knowledge' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe an individual who is particularly well-informed or knowledgeable about a particular subject. For example, "She has a keen knowledge of US history and is always able to answer the toughest questions about it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Mr. Fletcher had a keen knowledge of the sport's history.

The New York Times - Sports

Somebody with a keen knowledge of gamesmanship knows exactly how Hollywood's games are played.

The New York Times - Books

But the trait these groups share is a keen knowledge of how to eat nutritiously without damaging the ecosystem.

The Guardian

In turn, they were stunned that a black man researching at Berkeley could casually talk about inner city politics with keen knowledge of the street dynamics of Oakland.

University of California, Berkeley

"The Chinese are good at execution, but weak on problem-solving, and lack a keen knowledge of the business as well".

The New York Times

A keen knowledge of human psychology gained by continuous observation of boardroom interactions is invaluable in keeping emotions in check and the focus of the discussion on topic.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

We came to understand that making the scenarios relevant required a keener knowledge of decision makers and their microcosm than we had ever imagined.

Harvard Business Review

Professor Netanyahu was the world's foremost expert of the Spanish Inquisition, he was a major figure in the creation of the Jewish State of Israel, and with his great knowledge and keen eye, Benzion guided his three sons, Yoni, Benjamin and Iddo as he guided the entire Jewish nation with an understanding that its ancestral homeland was, is and will always be Israel.

The New York Times

Shifty winds and strong currents require keen tactical knowledge.

The New York Times

What is missing in the Snow Goose he makes up for with skill, tactics, keen local knowledge and a well-oiled crew.

The New York Times

What we glean instead is a keen structural knowledge wedded to an environmental sensitivity — a seamless bond of nature, space and humankind.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keen knowledge" when you want to emphasize not just knowledge, but also an active, sharp, and insightful understanding. For example, "A detective needs a keen knowledge of human behavior to solve crimes effectively."

Common error

Avoid using "keen knowledge" when a general understanding is sufficient. Overusing "keen" can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or hyperbolic. Consider whether "good understanding" or "solid knowledge" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keen knowledge" functions as a noun phrase, where "keen" modifies the noun "knowledge". As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase. It is typically used to describe a particularly strong or insightful understanding of a subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

24%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keen knowledge" is a versatile and widely used expression to describe a sharp, insightful understanding of a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and appropriate in various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and professional settings. While alternatives like "profound understanding" or "deep insight" exist, "keen knowledge" effectively conveys both the possession of information and a sharp ability to analyze and apply it. Remember to use it when you want to emphasize not just knowledge, but a deeper, more active comprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

profound understanding

Replaces "knowledge" with "understanding" and "keen" with "profound", suggesting a deeper level of comprehension.

deep insight

Substitutes "knowledge" with "insight" and "keen" with "deep", implying a penetrating understanding.

thorough grasp

Replaces "knowledge" with "grasp" and "keen" with "thorough", highlighting a comprehensive understanding.

acute awareness

Changes "knowledge" to "awareness" and "keen" to "acute", focusing on a sharp perception.

sharp perception

Similar to "acute awareness" but emphasizes the quickness and clarity of understanding.

extensive familiarity

Replaces "knowledge" with "familiarity" and "keen" with "extensive", indicating a broad acquaintance.

comprehensive expertise

Substitutes "knowledge" with "expertise" and "keen" with "comprehensive", stressing specialized knowledge.

intimate acquaintance

Similar to "extensive familiarity" but suggests a closer and more personal connection with the subject.

detailed understanding

Replaces "keen" with "detailed", emphasizing the level of specificity in the understanding.

exceptional command

Implies a high level of control and expertise over a subject matter.

FAQs

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

You can use "keen knowledge" to describe someone's sharp and insightful understanding of a subject. For example, "The historian possessed a keen knowledge of ancient civilizations."

What are some alternatives to "keen knowledge"?

You can use alternatives like "profound understanding", "deep insight", or "thorough grasp", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "keen understanding of knowledge"?

Yes, saying "keen understanding of knowledge" is somewhat redundant. It's better to use "keen knowledge" directly or specify what the understanding or knowledge pertains to.

What's the difference between "keen knowledge" and "general knowledge"?

"Keen knowledge" implies a deep, insightful, and active understanding, while "general knowledge" refers to a basic awareness of various subjects. Having "keen knowledge" suggests more than just knowing facts; it suggests an ability to analyze and apply that knowledge.