minimal knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

"minimal knowledge" is correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to having a very basic or limited understanding or awareness of a particular subject or topic. Example: "He was able to complete the task with minimal knowledge of computer programming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They made "Minimal Knowledge" for $200,000.

The New York Times

For "Minimal Knowledge," the pair attracted a couple of actors with some modest name recognition.

The New York Times

In both India and Kenya, poor people often have minimal knowledge about disease and tend to delay treatments.

The Guardian

Mr. de la Fuente, who has generally played smaller roles in big-budget pictures, said he enjoyed making "Minimal Knowledge".

The New York Times

During the first half of his career he worked hard to compensate for his late start and minimal knowledge.

The New York Times - Arts

That might require some minimal knowledge of how to put out fires.

The New York Times

IF movies had country-of-origin labels, like grapefruits or T-shirts, "Minimal Knowledge" would be stamped "Made in New Jersey".

The New York Times

"After mild career panic, I thought I needed a vocation, and decided – with minimal knowledge of what it really entailed – that teaching would be it," Palin explains.

The Guardian

I craved a major change, but I have minimal knowledge about cosmetics and little interest in navigating through the thousands of products available on my own.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Generally, the healthcare professionals reported having a minimal knowledge-base on this topic.

BMJ Open

Minimal-knowledge comparison of scalar quantities is also described, using a related "bracketing" technique.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "minimal knowledge", clarify the specific area where the knowledge is lacking to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "He completed the task with minimal knowledge", specify, "He completed the task with minimal knowledge of coding".

Common error

Avoid using "minimal knowledge" when the situation requires significant expertise. Misrepresenting the level of knowledge can lead to unrealistic expectations and potential failures.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minimal knowledge" functions as a noun phrase, where "minimal" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "knowledge". Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. The phrase typically appears as the object of a preposition or a complement to a verb, indicating a deficiency in understanding or expertise.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

46%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "minimal knowledge" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase indicating a limited understanding or awareness. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across varied contexts. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal writing. When using this phrase, it is beneficial to specify the area of deficiency to provide context. While it is a common expression, consider related phrases such as "limited understanding" or "basic awareness" for nuanced meaning. Avoid overstating or understating the level of knowledge to maintain accuracy and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited understanding

Focuses on the understanding aspect, implying a restriction in comprehension.

basic awareness

Highlights the awareness aspect, suggesting a rudimentary level of recognition.

rudimentary understanding

Emphasizes the elementary and undeveloped nature of the understanding.

superficial acquaintance

Indicates a surface-level familiarity without deep insight.

slight familiarity

Suggests a mild or faint level of knowing something.

scant awareness

Underscores the insufficiency of awareness or recognition.

basic grasp

Implies having a primary or fundamental hold on a concept or subject.

limited expertise

Focuses on the aspect of skill and competence that is restricted.

nodding acquaintance

Suggests knowing something only by name or reputation, without any real depth.

passing familiarity

Conveys having a brief or fleeting knowledge of something.

FAQs

How to use "minimal knowledge" in a sentence?

You can use "minimal knowledge" to describe a situation where someone has a limited understanding of a subject. For example, "Despite having "minimal knowledge" of cars, she attempted to fix the engine."

What can I say instead of "minimal knowledge"?

You can use alternatives like "limited understanding", "basic awareness", or "slight familiarity" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "minimal knowledge" in formal writing?

Yes, "minimal knowledge" is suitable for formal writing, especially when objectively describing a lack of expertise or understanding. However, ensure the context is clear and the statement is supported by evidence.

What's the difference between "minimal knowledge" and "no knowledge"?

"Minimal knowledge" implies some understanding, even if it's very basic, while "no knowledge" means there is a complete absence of understanding or awareness. The distinction is important because ""minimal knowledge"" can still be a foundation to build upon.