meager knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "meager knowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a limited or insufficient amount of knowledge on a particular subject. Example: "Despite his years of experience, he only had meager knowledge of the latest technologies in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

I mean, I'll totally take it back if there's something practical out there for this purpose, but to my meager knowledge there isn't.

TechCrunch

In the present study, a novel ubiquitin-like antitumour protein RBUP from R. botrytis with hemagglutinating and deoxyribonuclease activities was first identified, which will enhance its nutritional and medical applications and add to the meager knowledge about proteinaceous constituents of the mushroom.

AMB Express

Colleges continued to complain about the poor preparation of entering students, who not only had meager knowledge of the world but still required remediation in basic skills.

Huffington Post

Moreover, patients often tolerate poor symptom control, possess meager knowledge of correct drug usage, and display insufficient adherence to therapy.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

Findings of the present review of asthma surveys suggest that patients often understate their symptoms, tolerate poor symptom control, have low expectations of therapy, possess meager knowledge of correct drug usage, and display insufficient adherence to therapy.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

We anticipate that iPSC-based modeling of AD as demonstrated here can be useful for formulating testable hypotheses that might eventually enhance our meager knowledge of the molecular basis of its progression and should eventually lead to the development of new drugs to prevent or treat this disease.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

He acknowledged that his technical knowledge was meager, but was able to answer immediately when asked, "Which side of the face did Rembrandt light?" It was a complete guess, he said in an interview with the British actor Paul Merton, but he pointed to a side and said, "Except when he does etchings; then it's the other side".

The New York Times - Arts

If one could know only that one thinks and that one exists, human knowledge would be depressingly meager.

Encyclopedia Britannica

First, there's the pat explanation, which invokes the famous dictum, much embraced by statisticians, by the physicist Lord Kelvin: "When you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge is of a meager and unsatisfactory kind".

The New York Times - Tech

Current knowledge is best established at Mount Meager north of Mount Garibaldi and is likely to rise considerably with a temporary mapping and monitoring project.

Wikipedia

Current knowledge is best established at Mount Meager and is likely to rise considerably with a temporary mapping and monitoring project.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "meager knowledge", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific area the knowledge is lacking in. For instance, specify "meager knowledge of astrophysics" rather than just "meager knowledge".

Common error

Avoid using "meager knowledge" when the lack of understanding is nearly complete or nonexistent. Phrases like "complete ignorance" or "total lack of understanding" are more appropriate when there's virtually no knowledge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meager knowledge" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "meager" modifies the noun "knowledge". Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and usable across various contexts. It describes a limited quantity or extent of knowledge.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "meager knowledge" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to indicate a limited or insufficient understanding. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is most frequently found in scientific and news contexts. When using "meager knowledge", it is best practice to specify the area in which the knowledge is lacking, and to avoid using the phrase when there's practically no knowledge at all. Related phrases include "limited understanding" and "scant information". The phrase is suitable for both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited understanding

Focuses on the incomplete nature of comprehension.

scant understanding

Emphasizes the insufficiency of the knowledge.

little comprehension

Highlights the lack of overall grasp.

superficial awareness

Indicates a shallow level of understanding.

rudimentary grasp

Suggests a basic and underdeveloped understanding.

basic knowledge

Highlights knowledge at the foundational level.

incomplete picture

Implies that the knowledge is missing key components.

patchy understanding

Highlights the unevenness and gaps in understanding.

tenuous knowledge

Suggests a fragile and uncertain understanding.

underdeveloped insight

Focuses on the immaturity and lack of depth in understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "meager knowledge" to describe a limited or insufficient understanding of a particular subject. For example: "Despite years of study, his knowledge of quantum physics remained meager."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "meager knowledge"?

Alternatives to "meager knowledge" include phrases like "limited understanding", "scant information", or "rudimentary grasp", depending on the specific context.

Is "meager knowledge" a formal or informal expression?

"Meager knowledge" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The choice depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "meager knowledge" and "ignorance"?

"Meager knowledge" implies having some knowledge, though limited, while "ignorance" suggests a complete lack of knowledge. So, "meager knowledge" is a less extreme state than ignorance.