scant knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

'scant knowledge' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an idiomatic expression that refers to very limited knowledge of something or a lack of knowledge of a particular subject. For example: "Despite attending the course for weeks, he had only a scant knowledge of the material."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He had scant knowledge of computers at the time.

The New York Times

These discoveries added to the scant knowledge researchers had about the bird.

The Guardian

Before writing Gagarin Way, Burke had only scant knowledge of the theatre from a few visits.

The Guardian

Too many educators have scant knowledge of what kinds of skills businesses really need.

The Economist

In those days, teams had no trainers, much less doctors, and scant knowledge of head injuries.

The New York Times - Sports

The dissolution of the monasteries was only partial, and, because of the scant knowledge of English, liturgical changes were few.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The course was rewritten to assume little or no faith, and only scant knowledge of the Bible.

The Economist

AN ADVERTISEMENT for Budweiser beer currently running on British television gently mocks Americans' scant knowledge of football.

The Economist

With little experience of state schools and scant knowledge of how buildings are actually produced, they are hasty in their judgments of the architect's role.

The Guardian - Opinion

They aimed to topple rogue regimes — with scant knowledge of the local culture and no plan for what to do after the tyrant fell.

The New York Times - Books

The status of the librettist declined and the role was largely picked up by those who had little experience in the medium and scant knowledge of opera dramaturgy.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "scant knowledge" with verbs that emphasize the consequences of this lack, such as 'led to', 'resulted in', or 'hindered'.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "scant knowledge" means no knowledge at all. It indicates a limited understanding, not necessarily a complete absence of it. Be precise in conveying the extent of the deficiency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scant knowledge" functions as a noun phrase modifier, where the adjective "scant" quantifies and describes the extent of the noun "knowledge". As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and readily usable English expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scant knowledge" is a valid and frequently used English phrase that describes a limited or insufficient understanding of a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability. It is essential to use this phrase when conveying a clear sense of deficiency, and to specify the area where the understanding is lacking. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase appears commonly in news, scientific and academic contexts, and less so in more informal settings. When writing, remember that "scant" implies a limited understanding, not a complete absence of knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited understanding

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

superficial grasp

Emphasizes the lack of depth in understanding.

rudimentary awareness

Highlights the basic and underdeveloped nature of the knowledge.

meager familiarity

Focuses on the limited experience or acquaintance with the subject.

minimal expertise

Highlights the deficiency in skills and proficiency.

patchy information

Indicates that the available knowledge is incomplete and inconsistent.

inadequate insight

Highlights a lack of penetrating understanding.

deficient background

Emphasizes the lack of foundational knowledge.

restricted awareness

Indicates that consciousness or perception of the subject is limited.

cursory acquaintance

Stresses a brief and superficial level of knowledge.

FAQs

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

You can use "scant knowledge" to describe a situation where someone has very little understanding of a particular subject. For example: "Despite the training, the new recruits had "scant knowledge" of the equipment."

What are some alternatives to "scant knowledge"?

Alternatives to "scant knowledge" include "limited understanding", "superficial grasp", or "rudimentary awareness" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "scant knowledge" or "little knowledge"?

"Scant knowledge" and "little knowledge" are quite similar, but "scant" implies a more significant lack. Choose the phrase that best reflects the degree of deficiency you want to convey.

How does "scant knowledge" compare to "inadequate knowledge"?

"Inadequate knowledge" suggests the knowledge is insufficient for a specific purpose, while "scant knowledge" simply indicates that the amount of knowledge is very limited. The difference lies in whether the knowledge is insufficient in quantity or does not meet the required level. It is more about suitability rather than only quantity. You might use "inadequate knowledge" for a surgeon with dated training but "scant" for a layperson's understanding of surgery.