modest knowledge of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "modest knowledge of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a limited or basic understanding of a subject or topic. Example: "She has a modest knowledge of French, enough to hold a simple conversation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"I have only a modest knowledge" of the fund, he said, noting it had only one meeting".

The New York Times

Dunn grew up culturally bereft in the nineteen-eighties, but parlayed a modest knowledge of pop music into a job at Rolling Stone.

The New Yorker

He insisted, to an audience with modest knowledge of western intellectual life, that Mr Kundera's works "are of great human and spiritual value".

The Economist

The majority of physicians had modest knowledge of factors that would increase risk of resistance however, less than 20% had correct knowledge of local resistance patterns for common bacteria.

BMC Pediatrics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In summary, the majority of women in this study have modest knowledge on osteoporosis.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Second, the present study also adds data to the still modest knowledge base of information on whole-community PA programs' potential to be adopted and implemented within existing delivery systems.

BMC Public Health

The topics of modest knowledge included end of life decision making (61%), relationship skills (61%), health-care navigation (55%), and financial management (53%).

Cancer Medicine

An additional 22% admitted "only modest knowledge" with only 11% of respondents claiming knowledge about their treatments.

American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy

Those who do decide to transact through a website of their own design need to be aware of the simplest form of attack, which someone with only modest knowledge can use to steal customer data.

The Guardian

Additionally, a subset of disease-specific topics revealed a modest knowledge level, between 50% and 65% respondents reporting quite a bit or very much understanding.

Cancer Medicine

In literature, only few papers consider the combined effect of two or more deflocculants and a modest knowledge has developed on possible competitive or synergic interactions among them.

Journal of the European Ceramic Society

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "modest knowledge of", be specific about the areas where knowledge is sufficient, and the areas where it is lacking to provide a balanced assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "modest knowledge of" when describing complete ignorance. This phrase implies some level of understanding, however basic. If there's truly no understanding, phrases like "lack of knowledge about" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modest knowledge of" functions as a noun phrase, where "modest" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "knowledge", and "of" introduces the subject or area to which the knowledge pertains. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "modest knowledge of" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a limited or basic understanding of a subject. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is appropriate for use in written English. While relatively uncommon, it appears in various contexts, including news, scientific articles, and general discussions. When using this phrase, it's crucial to be clear about what aspects are understood and what aspects are lacking, and to avoid overstating the level of comprehension. Alternatives like "basic understanding of" or "limited understanding of" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

basic understanding of

Replaces "knowledge" with "understanding" and "modest" with "basic", indicating a simple level of comprehension.

limited understanding of

Uses "limited" instead of "modest", emphasizing the restricted nature of comprehension.

superficial grasp of

Implies a shallow or surface-level understanding.

rudimentary awareness of

Suggests a very basic or initial level of familiarity.

slight acquaintance with

Indicates a minimal or passing familiarity with the subject.

passing familiarity with

Conveys a casual and not very deep understanding.

general idea about

Suggests a broad, non-specific understanding.

tenuous handle on

Implies a weak or insecure understanding.

inadequate expertise in

Highlights the lack of sufficient skill or knowledge.

insufficient command of

Emphasizes a lack of mastery or control over the subject.

FAQs

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

You can use "modest knowledge of" to indicate a limited understanding or familiarity with a subject. For example: "He has a modest knowledge of Italian, but he can't speak fluently."

What are some alternatives to "modest knowledge of"?

Some alternatives include "basic understanding of", "limited understanding of", or "superficial grasp of" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "modest knowledge about" or "modest knowledge of"?

"Modest knowledge of" is generally preferred as it is more grammatically correct and commonly used.

How does "modest knowledge of" compare to "expert knowledge of"?

"Modest knowledge of" suggests a basic or limited understanding, while "expert knowledge of" implies a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of a subject.