less knowledge of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less knowledge of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a deficiency or lack of understanding about a particular subject or topic. Example: "His less knowledge of the subject matter became evident during the discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There are a lot more people with less and less knowledge of electricity calling me with questions," Mr. Bingham said.

The New York Times

Those who buy in the head shops often have a lot less knowledge of chemistry than Daniel.

The Guardian

They have resulted in the replacement of experienced governors and legislators by people with less knowledge of the governing process.

The New York Times

It is fair to say that without the Lomaxes Americans would have much less knowledge of the origins of what they hear today.

The Economist

I know some of your colleagues with less knowledge of our system than you have possibly think an American President can simply make decisions & they become policy or law.

The New York Times - Magazine

If McCoist genuinely sanctioned summer moves for Juan Manuel Ortiz, Matt McKay and Alejandro Bedoya then he has less knowledge of the type of player required to succeed in Scotland than many would credit him with.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Cohen, of Ledbury Research, said the growth of the private concierge industry was a response to the rise of newly wealthy consumers, who often have less knowledge of luxury goods and services and limited access to them.

The New York Times

And when it comes to collection -- collection of information -- I think it is important that we have that separation.... MR. KEAN -- I came to this job with less knowledge of the intelligence community than anybody else at this table.

The New York Times

I learned, once the world became larger than Sandra Walker and me and Worcester, Massachusetts, that we are born with few tools with which to build our little shacks of life, and we are born with even less knowledge of how to use those tools.

The New Yorker

As for mine — well, if you think my bracket looks like something put together by a ten-year-old working with a person who has a sentimental attachment to New York and Western Pennsylvania but less knowledge of college basketball than she should, then you have very sharp eyes.

The New Yorker

Think of (on average), yourself, but with even less knowledge of the musical canon than you have now, been given a song to sing you've never heard of, then told to get up in front of thousands of people, and go for it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing levels of knowledge, ensure the comparison is clear and specific. Instead of just stating "less knowledge of X", specify who has "less knowledge of X" compared to whom.

Common error

Avoid using "less knowledge of" when "fewer" is appropriate. "Less" refers to uncountable nouns (e.g., less water), while "fewer" refers to countable nouns (e.g., fewer books). Knowledge in this context, is uncountable, thus "less knowledge" is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less knowledge of" functions as a qualifier, indicating a deficiency or reduced level of understanding regarding a specific subject. As noted by Ludwig, it is a common and grammatically sound expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less knowledge of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate a deficiency in understanding or information. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage is widespread across various domains, including news, science, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "limited understanding of" or "lack of familiarity with" exist, "less knowledge of" remains a versatile and common choice. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in comparisons and avoid confusion with "fewer" when referring to countable nouns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited understanding of

Emphasizes the restricted scope of comprehension.

uninformed about

Directly states a lack of information.

lack of familiarity with

Highlights the absence of prior experience or acquaintance.

scant awareness of

Indicates a minimal level of recognition or consciousness.

deficient in knowledge about

Formal expression highlighting a specific deficiency.

poor grasp of

Implies a weak or inadequate comprehension.

insufficient background in

Focuses on the inadequacy of foundational knowledge.

limited exposure to

Highlights the restricted opportunity to gain knowledge.

unversed in

Formal way of saying someone is not skilled or knowledgeable.

naive regarding

Implies innocence or lack of experience leading to less knowledge.

FAQs

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

You can use "less knowledge of" to indicate a deficiency in understanding or information about a particular topic. For example, "The new employees had "less knowledge of" the company's history than the veterans".

What are some alternatives to "less knowledge of"?

Alternatives include "limited understanding of", "lack of familiarity with", or "scant awareness of", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "less knowledge about" instead of "less knowledge of"?

While "less knowledge about" isn't incorrect, ""less knowledge of"" is the more common and generally preferred phrasing. "Of" connects the knowledge to a specific subject.

What's the difference between "less knowledge of" and "limited knowledge of"?

Both phrases indicate a deficiency in understanding, but "limited knowledge of" suggests a restricted scope, while ""less knowledge of"" often implies a comparison to someone else's understanding or a required level of understanding.