prodigious knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prodigious knowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an impressive or extraordinary amount of knowledge possessed by someone. Example: "The scientist was renowned for her prodigious knowledge in the field of genetics, making significant contributions to the understanding of DNA."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Even Carter's prodigious knowledge, his phenomenal recall of data, can count against him.

The Guardian

"Ian combines a prodigious knowledge of the resources sector, keen policy instincts and great advocacy skills," Pearson said.

The Guardian

(Drink up, Martian!) Pableaux Johnson, a child of Louisiana with prodigious knowledge of this city's food scene, was among the crowd.

The New York Times - Food

Four years ago his debut feature, "Brick," a film noir spoof set in a contemporary high school, announced the arrival of a director with a prodigious knowledge of film genres and a visual flair to match.

The New York Times

Bertrand Russell, who had a prodigious knowledge of history and a crisp wit, claimed in 1930 that he could think of only two useful contributions that religion had made to civilization.

The New Yorker

Alternately affable and irascible, with his flat Northern vowels and prodigious knowledge of the game, Coleman's "garrulous gurgle," as the Daily Telegraph once called it, swept away the decorous BBC English that marked the first generation of bow-tied, pencil-mustached TV commentators.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Collins's prodigious memory, his knowledge of Latin, and his historical precision made him uniquely well qualified to judge the portraits that Edmund Gosse drew of certain seventeenth-century English poets — Edmund Waller, Sir John Denham, William Davenant, and John Dryden — who had been strongly influenced by the Roman poets.

The New Yorker

Their view that education is evil and open-mindedness is dangerous stems from their recognition (and fear) of the prodigious power of knowledge.

Huffington Post

Her knowledge is prodigious and a little bit frightening.

Independent

Dr Maguire and her team have now turned their attention to how cabbies learn the Knowledge.The prodigious geographical knowledge of the average cabbie is, indeed, savant-like.

The Economist

But you make do with what you have — a prodigious brain, a tremendous knowledge of past financial crises, and a personality that is above reproach.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prodigious knowledge" to describe someone whose expertise is not only broad but also remarkably deep and impressive. It suggests a capacity for learning and retention that goes beyond ordinary understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "prodigious knowledge" to describe everyday understanding or common skills. This phrase is best reserved for truly exceptional and impressive levels of expertise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prodigious knowledge" functions as an adjective-noun combination where "prodigious" modifies "knowledge". It serves to emphasize the exceptional degree or extent of someone's understanding, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

21%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prodigious knowledge" is a grammatically sound and readily usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig, that serves to denote an exceptionally deep and vast understanding of a subject. It is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts, with a notable presence in encyclopedias and scientific publications. While alternatives such as "vast knowledge" or "immense knowledge" exist, "prodigious knowledge" specifically conveys a sense of awe-inspiring expertise. Remember to reserve this phrase for truly remarkable instances of knowledge, avoiding overuse in simpler contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vast knowledge

Emphasizes the extensive scope and breadth of the knowledge possessed.

immense knowledge

Highlights the immeasurable scale or degree of knowledge.

extensive knowledge

Focuses on the wide-ranging and detailed nature of the knowledge.

considerable knowledge

Suggests a significant and noteworthy amount of knowledge.

substantial knowledge

Indicates a solid and well-founded base of knowledge.

remarkable knowledge

Emphasizes the unusual or impressive nature of the knowledge.

exceptional knowledge

Suggests a level of knowledge that is beyond the ordinary.

encyclopedic knowledge

Implies a comprehensive and all-encompassing understanding of a subject.

deep understanding

Focuses on the thorough and profound nature of someone's comprehension.

comprehensive expertise

Highlights a broad and thorough competence in a particular field.

FAQs

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

You can use "prodigious knowledge" to describe someone with an exceptionally vast and deep understanding of a subject. For instance, "The professor's prodigious knowledge of ancient history made his lectures captivating."

What are some alternatives to "prodigious knowledge"?

You can use alternatives like "vast knowledge", "immense knowledge", or "extensive knowledge" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "prodigious knowledge" in formal writing?

Yes, "prodigious knowledge" is suitable for formal writing. It is a sophisticated way to describe exceptional expertise and depth of understanding.

What is the difference between "prodigious knowledge" and "great knowledge"?

"Prodigious knowledge" implies an exceptional, almost awe-inspiring level of understanding, while "great knowledge" simply indicates a significant amount of knowledge. Prodigious suggests something far beyond ordinary greatness.