paucity of knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "paucity of knowledge" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a lack of knowledge about a certain subject. For example, "John's paucity of knowledge in mathematics led to a poor performance on the test."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Selin, too, is a college student with a mightily bookish brain and a paucity of knowledge gleaned from experience.

The New Yorker

However, there is a paucity of knowledge relating to the existing housing stock in Ireland.

Building and Environment

However, there remains a paucity of knowledge on the evolution of freshwater taxa in southern California.

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution

Yet, there is a paucity of knowledge about the dissemination, content, and reception of these promotional materials.

Social Science & Medicine

But the driving force behind obesity isn't a paucity of knowledge; it's an abundance of food and a surfeit of cars, computers and convenience.

Forbes

This paucity of knowledge was addressed in the present study using the NeuroCom Balance Manager's Sensory Organization Test SOTT) and Limits of Stability (LOS) test.

Gait & Posture

There is a paucity of knowledge regarding nationally representative estimates of hospital-based emergency department (ED) visits for dental problems made by people with mental health conditions.

The Journal of the American Dental Association

Given the paucity of knowledge about IAD, we conducted a descriptive clinical analysis of patients focusing on clinical, demographic features, and comorbidities.

Comprehensive Psychiatry

There is a paucity of knowledge in understanding the effects of warming and grazing on soil microbes and their active counterparts, especially on the Tibetan Plateau which is extremely sensitive to global warming and human activities.

Geoderma

However, the management literature is still characterized by a relative paucity of knowledge about how business strategies are developed to deal with these complexities (e.g., Andriesse & van Helvoirt, 2010; Chen, 2008; Redding & Witt, 2007; Yao et al., 2009; Zhang, 2014).

Frontiers of Business Research in China

Missing from the gradual-morphological model is any specific detail about how eye variation might have originated, which is rooted in the paucity of knowledge on the molecular basis of vision available to Darwin, Mayr, and their contemporaries.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "paucity of knowledge" to emphasize a significant and concerning lack of information, especially when it hinders progress or understanding in a field.

Common error

Avoid using "paucity of knowledge" when the situation involves minor gaps or easily accessible information. The phrase implies a substantial deficiency that impacts critical decision-making or research.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "paucity of knowledge" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of lacking information or understanding about a specific topic. As evidenced by Ludwig, the phrase is often used in academic and scientific contexts to point out areas where further research is needed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

77%

News & Media

11%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "paucity of knowledge" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, to highlight significant gaps in understanding or information. Predominantly found in scientific and academic contexts, it serves to emphasize the need for further research or to acknowledge limitations within a field. While alternatives like "lack of understanding" or "scant information" exist, "paucity of knowledge" carries a more formal tone and emphasizes the severity of the deficiency. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context genuinely warrants highlighting a substantial lack of information that hinders progress or decision-making. Ludwig examples show frequent usage in science and news media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deficient knowledge

Indicates that the knowledge base is incomplete or inadequate.

gaps in understanding

Emphasizes specific areas where comprehension is missing or incomplete.

lack of understanding

Focuses on the absence of comprehension rather than the scarcity of information itself.

limited awareness

Emphasizes the restricted scope of perception or consciousness regarding a subject.

underdeveloped knowledge base

Indicates that the foundation of understanding is not yet fully formed.

scant information

Highlights the deficiency in the amount of available data.

insufficient data

Stresses the inadequacy of factual material for analysis or decision-making.

limited expertise

Refers to a restricted capability or skill in a particular area.

superficial understanding

Highlights a shallow, surface-level grasp of a topic.

shallow learning

Focuses on the concept of knowledge learned at a surface level.

FAQs

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

You can use "paucity of knowledge" to describe situations where there is a significant lack of information or understanding about a particular subject. For example, "The "paucity of knowledge" surrounding the long-term effects of this new drug is concerning."

What are some alternatives to "paucity of knowledge"?

Some alternatives to "paucity of knowledge" include "lack of understanding", "limited awareness", or "scant information". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "lack of knowledge" or "paucity of knowledge"?

"Lack of knowledge" is more common and straightforward. "Paucity of knowledge" is more formal and emphasizes the scarcity of information. The choice depends on the desired tone and audience. Both "lack of knowledge" and "paucity of knowledge" can be used, depending on the situation.

What does "paucity of knowledge" imply about a situation?

"Paucity of knowledge" suggests that the lack of information is significant enough to hinder progress, understanding, or decision-making in a particular area. It highlights a concerning deficiency that needs to be addressed through further research or investigation.