possess knowledge of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "possess knowledge of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone having information or understanding about a particular subject or topic. Example: "To be successful in this role, you must possess knowledge of the latest industry trends and technologies."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Smith's philosophy holds that only five per cent of the population possess "knowledge of self," and that they have an obligation to educate the ignorant eighty-five per cent.

The New Yorker

It also requires the government to accept that people who work in public services possess knowledge of how those services work that, especially when it contradicts the government, needs to be part of the ongoing conversation about how we do things.

The Guardian - Opinion

Geomorphologists possess knowledge of the long history of human alteration of the critical zone.

Anthropocene

REQUIREMENTS: Software development experience in game industry; preferred candidate would possess knowledge of 3D graphics, including hardware graphics pipelines and programmable shaders.

TechCrunch

Top operations managers possess knowledge of production processes, for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Energy

And that it is through a special investigation of necessities that we come to possess knowledge of essence by modal sorting.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

As someone who now possesses knowledge of both, I can assure them it was not necessarily worth knowing.

The Guardian - Film

This transition, Carney writes, depended on "the large number of slaves imported directly from the rice area of West Africa who possessed knowledge of the crop's cultivation".

The New York Times - Books

Closely aligned with them were the priests; possessing knowledge of writing and mathematics, the priests served as government officials, organizing and directing the economy and overseeing clerks and scribes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, two studies reported that teachers possessed knowledge of students' difficulties with evolution.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

An anonymous grad student possesses knowledge of my disastrous childhood.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "possess knowledge of" to convey a formal and somewhat sophisticated tone when indicating that someone has information or expertise. It's suitable for professional or academic contexts where precision is valued.

Common error

Avoid using "possess knowledge of" in casual conversation or informal writing. Alternatives like "knows about" or "is familiar with" are more appropriate for less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "possess knowledge of" functions as a verb phrase indicating the state of having information or understanding. Ludwig's examples confirm its use in diverse contexts, from describing skills required for a job to indicating expertise in a specific field. Ludwig AI also indicates this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

26%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "possess knowledge of" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to indicate understanding or expertise in a formal setting. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its register skews towards formal and scientific contexts, making it suitable for professional, academic, and technical writing. While effective in these domains, remember that more informal alternatives, such as "have knowledge of" or "be familiar with", are often more appropriate for casual communication. The examined sources highlight the common use of "possess knowledge of" across various domains, as well as the availability of similarly functioning phrases that might be more fitting based on context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have knowledge of

Replaces "possess" with the more common verb "have", making it slightly less formal.

be familiar with

Indicates a comfortable level of understanding or experience with something.

be knowledgeable about

Uses an adjective to describe the subject, focusing on their state of being informed.

be versed in

Implies a well-trained or deeply studied understanding of a subject.

have expertise in

Highlights specialized or professional knowledge.

be proficient in

Emphasizes skill and competence in a particular area.

be acquainted with

Suggests a familiarity or basic understanding, rather than deep expertise.

command knowledge of

Suggests a superior or authoritative understanding.

demonstrate understanding of

Focuses on showing or proving one's knowledge.

understand

A simpler, more direct verb to convey comprehension.

FAQs

What does "possess knowledge of" mean?

The phrase "possess knowledge of" means to have information, understanding, or expertise about a particular subject or topic. It suggests a state of knowing something, often in a formal or authoritative sense.

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

You can use "possess knowledge of" to indicate that someone has a deep understanding or specific information about something. For example: "To be successful in this role, you must "have knowledge of" the latest industry trends."

What are some alternatives to "possess knowledge of"?

Alternatives include "be knowledgeable about", "be familiar with", "have expertise in", or simply "knows about", depending on the context.

Is "possess knowledge of" formal or informal?

The phrase "possess knowledge of" is generally considered more formal than alternatives like "knows about" or "is familiar with". It is suitable for professional, academic, or technical writing.