poor knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

"poor knowledge" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to describe a lack of knowledge or education about something. For example: "Despite his poor knowledge of current events, he managed to pass the test."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Formal & Business

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At this point, teachers are generally not fired or disciplined for poor knowledge of Estonian.

The New York Times

The study reveals poor knowledge and practice regarding ADR reporting.

Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal

The results indicated that the participants suffered from poor knowledge of the collocations.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

Lack of training and education for workers may end in poor knowledge management.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

Another study has shown poor knowledge about SIRS and sepsis in ward nurses (n = 73).

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

This is in strong contrast to prior studies among physicians reporting variably poor knowledge.

Insights into Imaging

Poor knowledge of complex conditions such as pre-eclampsia is of particular concern.

Pregnancy Hypertension: An International Journal of Women's Cardiovascular Health

Students reported a poor knowledge of nutrition, but recognised its importance.

Nurse Education Today

Poor knowledge and negative attitudes toward pressure ulcer prevention could undesirably affect preventive care strategies.

Nurse Education Today

The success of these strategies is hampered by the poor knowledge of interactions between regulatory mechanisms.

Current Opinion in Microbiology

Our review of the literature identified a poor knowledge of bird parasite interactions in urban areas.

Landscape and Urban Planning

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "poor knowledge", specify the subject matter to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "they have poor knowledge", say "they have poor knowledge of the company's history".

Common error

Avoid using "poor knowledge" as a vague criticism. Provide specific examples of what knowledge is lacking and the consequences of that deficiency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poor knowledge" functions primarily as a noun phrase modifier, where the adjective "poor" describes the quality of the "knowledge". This indicates a deficiency or inadequacy in the amount or quality of understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

81%

Formal & Business

10%

News & Media

9%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "poor knowledge" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a lack of understanding or information, as supported by Ludwig. It typically functions as a noun phrase modifier, commonly found in scientific, formal, and business contexts. When using this phrase, specify the subject matter to avoid ambiguity. Common errors include overgeneralization, so it's best to provide specific examples of what knowledge is lacking. Alternatives include "limited understanding" or "inadequate information", offering nuanced ways to express the same core idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited understanding

This alternative focuses on the extent of comprehension rather than the complete absence of knowledge.

inadequate information

This phrase emphasizes the lack of sufficient data or facts.

deficient understanding

This alternative highlights the incompleteness or imperfection of comprehension.

scant knowledge

This option uses a less common term ("scant") to emphasize the small amount of knowledge.

rudimentary understanding

This phrase indicates a basic, undeveloped level of knowledge.

lack of expertise

This alternative focuses on the absence of specialized skill or knowledge.

insufficient awareness

This option emphasizes the absence of recognition or understanding.

limited awareness

It highlights the restricted scope of understanding, suggesting some but not enough comprehension.

shallow understanding

This expression refers to superficial or incomplete comprehension of a subject.

basic knowledge gap

This alternative emphasizes the absence of foundational knowledge.

FAQs

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

You can use "poor knowledge" to describe a lack of understanding or information about a specific topic. For instance, "His poor knowledge of the subject led to errors in his analysis".

What are some alternatives to saying "poor knowledge"?

Alternatives include phrases like "limited understanding", "inadequate information", or "deficient understanding", depending on the specific context.

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

Both "poor knowledge" and "lack of knowledge" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably in many situations. However, "lack of knowledge" might be slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "poor knowledge" and "misinformation"?

"Poor knowledge" refers to a lack of understanding or information, while "misinformation" refers to incorrect or misleading information. Someone with "poor knowledge" may simply be unaware, whereas someone with misinformation believes something that is false.