knowledge of the thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "knowledge of the thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone's understanding or awareness of a specific subject or object. Example: "Her knowledge of the thing was evident during the discussion, as she provided detailed insights."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

There was no violent shock, only a settled change, and the realization — a surprise — that you couldn't undo the knowledge of the thing with the same calm ease with which you had taken it in.

The New Yorker

Moreover, perhaps the fact that acquaintance is a form of awareness of the most direct, most secure kind, and is fundamental to all knowledge of truths, led Russell to think it deserves to be called "knowledge" of the thing in question.

SEP

Hence we lack knowledge of the thing's essence, if indeed there is one.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The comparatively brief entries in the encyclopaedic dictionary had, by accident of the alphabet, fragmented knowledge to such an extent that users received only a disjointed knowledge of the things in which they were interested.

Encyclopedia Britannica

From a scholarly standpoint, it implies that interpretations of Schopenhauer that portray him as a Kantian who believes that knowledge of the thing-in-itself is impossible, do not fit with what Schopenhauer himself believed.

SEP

Cratylus, despite the damage Socrates has inflicted on his extreme naturalism, still clings to his belief that the study of things' names is the privileged route to knowledge of the things themselves.

SEP

As a result, although empirical knowledge of the things signified by the terms is usually needed, it is necessary to argue beyond simple and intuitive cognitions, via syllogisms and demonstrations, to consolidate one's certitude that not only representations exist.

SEP

God's knowledge is not foreknowledge, since it is not temporally located, but the predictions of future contingents are true or false from the point of view of God's eternal knowledge of the things referred to (V.6, 25 32; see also Augustine, City of God 11.21).

SEP

He agreed with Democritus 1) "that human beings do not grasp true knowledge of the things that are, but define them as they believe them to be" (DK I 442.7 8; cf. Democritus Frs. 6 10) and 2) that all sensible things arise from indivisible first bodies and void.

SEP

Our latest single is called "Go Back" and it's inspired by watching the movie Back To The Future and thinking of where I was when I first watched that movie and what kind of person I had been and thinking about reverting to that version of yourself but retaining the knowledge of the things you've gone through since then and making the best possible version of yourself out of all of that.

Huffington Post

He might be impressed with your knowledge of the things he enjoys, and might even invite you to play with him!

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "knowledge of the thing" with phrases that highlight the impact or consequences of that knowledge, such as "the burden of knowledge of the thing" or "the freedom that comes with knowledge of the thing".

Common error

Avoid using "knowledge of the thing" in situations where simpler terms like "understanding" or "awareness" would suffice. This phrase works best in more profound or philosophical contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "knowledge of the thing" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It refers to a deep understanding or realization about a specific subject or object, often implying a significant shift in perspective, as exemplified by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "knowledge of the thing" is a noun phrase denoting a profound understanding or realization. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct but relatively rare, appearing most frequently in scientific, news and media, and encyclopedic sources. Its purpose is to convey a significant, often transformative, understanding. While grammatically sound, it should be reserved for contexts where a simpler term would not suffice. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English and highlights its association with detailed insights.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understanding of the subject

Replaces "knowledge" with "understanding" and "thing" with "subject", emphasizing comprehension.

awareness of the matter

Substitutes "knowledge" with "awareness" and "thing" with "matter", highlighting consciousness of a situation.

comprehension of the issue

Uses "comprehension" instead of "knowledge" and "issue" instead of "thing", focusing on a deeper understanding of a specific problem.

grasp of the concept

Replaces "knowledge" with "grasp" and "thing" with "concept", emphasizing a firm understanding of an idea.

familiarity with the topic

Substitutes "knowledge" with "familiarity" and "thing" with "topic", highlighting acquaintance with a subject.

insight into the object

Uses "insight" instead of "knowledge" and "object" instead of "thing", focusing on a deeper understanding of a particular item.

perception of the reality

Replaces "knowledge" with "perception" and "thing" with "reality", emphasizing the awareness of the actual state of affairs.

apprehension of the situation

Substitutes "knowledge" with "apprehension" and "thing" with "situation", highlighting an understanding of the circumstances.

cognizance of the fact

Uses "cognizance" instead of "knowledge" and "fact" instead of "thing", focusing on being aware of a particular piece of information.

understanding of what's involved

Replaces "knowledge of the thing" with a more descriptive phrase, focusing on understanding the complexities of a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "knowledge of the thing" in a sentence?

You can use "knowledge of the thing" to describe a deep understanding or realization about something. For example: "The character gained a profound "knowledge of the thing" after experiencing the event."

What's a good alternative to "knowledge of the thing"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "understanding of the subject", "awareness of the matter", or "comprehension of the issue".

Is "knowledge about the thing" the same as "knowledge of the thing"?

While similar, "knowledge of the thing" often implies a deeper, more intrinsic understanding, whereas "knowledge about the thing" can refer to more superficial or external information.

When is it best to use "knowledge of the thing" over simpler terms like "understanding"?

"Knowledge of the thing" is best used when referring to a significant, often life-altering, realization or deep comprehension. It adds a layer of gravity and importance to the understanding.