not knowledgeable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not knowledgeable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that someone lacks understanding of something, either due to inexperience or lack of study. For example, "The new intern is not knowledgeable about the company's procedures yet, but she is willing to learn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In this period, access to improved agricultural knowledge has become a priority because rural inhabitants who are not knowledgeable enough in farm production started obtaining agricultural land.

Agricultural and Food Economics

Not knowledgeable: - health care providers who scored below the mean of the knowledge questions value.

BMC Public Health

Mr. West is nothing if not knowledgeable about designers, and Ms. Burch is a doll.

The New York Times

"He knows I'm not stupid, there are just certain things I'm not knowledgeable in".

The New York Times - Arts

I think that that's the claim of someone who is not knowledgeable about government.

The New York Times

Mr. Lake recommends that employers review their practices and seek professional assistance if they are not knowledgeable about legal requirements.

The New York Times

"I think I have shown conclusively that I am not knowledgeable enough about the real estate business," he said.

The Guardian - Business

Inspectors found that local officers in the program were "not knowledgeable about the asylum process" and other basic tenets of immigration codes.

The New York Times

But like most of medicine, the specialists we consulted were not knowledgeable about helping you live your life without a pill or scalpel".

The New York Times - Health

Their parents are often not knowledgeable about the services that their children are supposed to receive — and that contractors are billing for.

The New York Times

"Perhaps I was too brave and not knowledgeable enough when it came to the 18th," said the restarauteur, who counts The Ivy among his eateries.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not knowledgeable", specify the area of knowledge that is lacking for clarity. For example, instead of saying "He is not knowledgeable", say "He is not knowledgeable about astrophysics."

Common error

Avoid using "not knowledgeable" as a blanket statement about someone's intelligence. It's more accurate and respectful to specify the area where their knowledge is lacking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not knowledgeable" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a lack of knowledge or expertise in a specific area. As shown in Ludwig, it describes a state of being uninformed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not knowledgeable" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express a lack of knowledge or expertise in a particular area. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a predicate adjective and serves to convey limitations or assess capabilities. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it's important to use it with specificity to avoid overgeneralizations. Its usage is most prevalent in news media and scientific contexts. For alternative expressions, consider using uninformed, "lacking expertise", or other related terms depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking expertise

Directly states the absence of specialized knowledge.

deficient in knowledge

A more formal way of expressing a lack of knowledge.

uninformed

Focuses on a lack of information rather than knowledge.

unaware

Emphasizes a lack of consciousness or realization.

not versed in

Indicates unfamiliarity with a particular subject.

inexperienced

Highlights a lack of practical experience.

ignorant

A stronger term suggesting a lack of awareness or education.

unschooled

Implies a lack of formal education.

green

Informal term suggesting inexperience and lack of knowledge.

naive

Suggests a lack of worldly knowledge and understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "not knowledgeable" in a sentence?

You can use "not knowledgeable" to describe someone's lack of expertise in a specific area. For instance, "The new employee is "not knowledgeable" about the software, but they are eager to learn."

What's a less formal way to say "not knowledgeable"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "unfamiliar with", "doesn't know much about", or "green".

Is it better to say "uninformed" or "not knowledgeable"?

While both describe a lack of information, "uninformed" suggests a lack of access to information, while ""not knowledgeable"" implies a lack of understanding or expertise, regardless of information availability.

What's the difference between "not knowledgeable" and "ignorant"?

"Not knowledgeable" is a neutral term indicating a lack of information or expertise. "Ignorant" can imply a willful disregard for facts or knowledge, often carrying a negative connotation.