knowledgeable of the situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "knowledgeable of the situation" is not correct in standard English; the correct expression is "knowledgeable about the situation." You can use it when referring to someone who has a good understanding or awareness of a particular situation or context.
Example: "The manager is knowledgeable about the situation and can provide valuable insights during the meeting."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Now Prime Minister George Papandreou apparently feels he has no other option: SPIEGEL ONLINE has obtained information from German government sources knowledgeable of the situation in Athens indicating that Papandreou's government is considering abandoning the euro and reintroducing its own currency.

The Economist

A topic guide for the interviews was developed based upon the aim of the study, through analysis of relevant literature, and discussions with people knowledgeable of the situation in northern Uganda.

Conflict and Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Howard Socol, the chief executive of Barneys New York, who restored the company's stature after it fell into bankruptcy in the 1990s, has told colleagues he intends to resign, according to people knowledgeable about the situation.

The New York Times

The source insisted on strict anonymity but is clearly knowledgeable about the situation.

Forbes

Read Clare Lockhart's Sept. 17 testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to get a sense of the way many knowledgeable people view the situation.

The New York Times

As for his message to other young people, he says, "Be aware of the situation, and be knowledgeable.

Unicef

In the cabin no one knew what was happening, although knowledgeable passengers could see that they were turning back and had some idea of the situation.

Huffington Post

"The FDA should be the most knowledgeable," the staffer said, "but their testimony did not instill confidence that they are on top of the situation".

Forbes

Take stock of the situation.

Forbes

Take control of the situation.

WikiHow

All the listeners were knowledgeable of the English pronunciation and had no hearing impairments.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer "knowledgeable about the situation". It is the grammatically correct and widely accepted phrasing. Using the correct preposition enhances clarity and credibility in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "of" instead of "about" after "knowledgeable". While understandable, it's considered grammatically incorrect. Always double-check preposition usage to ensure accuracy and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "knowledgeable of the situation" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe someone's level of understanding or awareness. However, as noted by Ludwig, the correct preposition to use with "knowledgeable" in this context is "about".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

17%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "knowledgeable of the situation" might be understood in certain contexts, it's grammatically incorrect. The proper phrasing is "knowledgeable about the situation". As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase functions as an adjectival modifier to describe someone's understanding. Although examples exist across diverse sources, including news media and scientific publications, it is recommended to always use the grammatically correct "knowledgeable about the situation" to maintain clarity and professionalism in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aware of the situation

Focuses on being conscious or informed about what is happening.

informed about the situation

Emphasizes receiving information regarding the situation.

familiar with the situation

Highlights having a good understanding or acquaintance with the details of the situation.

acquainted with the situation

Similar to 'familiar', but can imply a more personal or direct experience with the situation.

conversant with the situation

Suggests being well-informed and able to discuss the situation knowledgeably.

up-to-date on the situation

Highlights having the most current information available.

abreast of the situation

Implies staying current with developments as they unfold.

understanding the situation

Focuses on comprehending the key aspects and implications.

cognizant of the situation

A more formal way of saying 'aware' or 'conscious' of the situation.

apprised of the situation

Suggests being formally or officially informed.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say someone understands a situation well?

The proper phrasing is "knowledgeable about the situation". Although "knowledgeable of the situation" might be understood, it's grammatically incorrect.

Is it better to say someone is "aware of" or "knowledgeable of" a situation?

While "aware of" is always a safe bet, if you intend to convey deep understanding, use "knowledgeable about" followed by the specific subject.

What can I say instead of "knowledgeable of the situation"?

You can use alternatives like "aware of the situation", "informed about the situation", or "familiar with the situation".

Which is more formal: "knowledgeable of the situation" or "knowledgeable about the situation"?

Both phrases carry a similar level of formality. However, "knowledgeable about the situation" is the grammatically correct option and thus more appropriate in formal writing.