profound knowledge of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "profound knowledge of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate a deep understanding of something. For example, "He had a profound knowledge of history."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

She had a profound knowledge of Italian food, and she was utterly passionate about it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The second strand aims to instil a profound knowledge of – and pride in – the Malian heritage.

The Guardian

"He is known to have profound knowledge of British and American literature.

The Guardian - Books

They had drive and enthusiasm but also profound knowledge of their community.

The Guardian

He claimed that the girls have a profound knowledge of sex.

The Guardian

"To work with someone with such a profound knowledge of late Schubert piano work is fascinating," says Bostridge.

The Guardian - Music

As a result, Amyas has a deep love for Botswana and a profound knowledge of its flora and fauna.

The New York Times - Travel

His own profound knowledge of cruelty harked back to his boyhood, when he was imprisoned for stealing a cucumber.

The New York Times - Books

"Syncretism arises when people may not have a profound knowledge of religion and their faith," the monsignor said.

The New York Times

Bratza refused to be drawn, protesting that there were plenty of judges in Britain with "profound knowledge" of human rights.

The Guardian

Honeck has profound knowledge of what The Albion called the "elocution of the music": phrases were joined together into seamless paragraphs, with no arbitrary jabs of emphasis.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "profound knowledge of" to emphasize a deep, thorough, and insightful understanding, especially when contrasting it with superficial or basic knowledge. For example, "Her "profound knowledge of" classical literature allowed her to interpret the poem's nuances."

Common error

Avoid using "profound knowledge of" when a simpler term like "understanding" or "familiarity" suffices. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound pretentious or unnecessarily complex. For instance, instead of saying "He has a "profound knowledge of" basic arithmetic", consider "He understands basic arithmetic."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "profound knowledge of" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It describes the extent and depth of someone's understanding in a particular subject, as evidenced by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

31%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "profound knowledge of" signifies a deep and thorough understanding of a subject, going beyond mere familiarity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. It appears often in scientific and news-related contexts, reflecting its suitability for expressing expertise and in-depth understanding. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the level of expertise you wish to convey, avoiding overuse in simple contexts. Alternatives such as "deep understanding of" or "extensive expertise in" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Always consider the context to ensure the most accurate and impactful expression of knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deep understanding of

Replaces "knowledge" with "understanding", focusing on comprehension rather than just information.

extensive expertise in

Substitutes "profound knowledge" with "extensive expertise", highlighting practical skill and experience.

thorough grasp of

Emphasizes a complete and firm understanding, using "grasp" instead of "knowledge".

comprehensive command of

Indicates a complete mastery and control over a subject.

in-depth acquaintance with

Suggests a detailed and intimate familiarity with the subject matter.

mastery of

Highlights complete control and skill in a particular area.

exceptional insight into

Focuses on the ability to deeply understand the underlying nature of something.

intimate familiarity with

Implies a close and personal understanding of the subject.

considerable awareness of

Highlights a significant level of consciousness and understanding.

remarkable comprehension of

Emphasizes the exceptional ability to understand complex topics.

FAQs

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

You can use "profound knowledge of" to describe someone's deep understanding of a subject. For example, "The professor demonstrated a "profound knowledge of" ancient history".

What can I say instead of "profound knowledge of"?

You can use alternatives like "deep understanding of", "extensive expertise in", or "thorough grasp of" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "profound understanding of" or "profound knowledge of"?

Both "profound understanding of" and "profound knowledge of" are correct, but "profound understanding of" emphasizes comprehension and insight, while "profound knowledge of" emphasizes the depth and breadth of information.

What is the difference between "profound knowledge of" and "basic knowledge of"?

"Profound knowledge of" implies a deep, thorough, and insightful understanding, while "basic knowledge of" implies a simple, fundamental understanding. Using "profound" suggests more than just a surface-level awareness.