scant knowledge of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scant knowledge of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a limited or insufficient understanding of a particular subject or topic. Example: "Despite his years of experience, he had only a scant knowledge of the latest technologies in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

He had scant knowledge of computers at the time.

The New York Times

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

The Guardian

American politicians, businesses and media have scant knowledge of the country.

The Guardian - Opinion

Until recently, scientists had scant knowledge of how warming and weather extremes were affecting lakes.

Yale University

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Many pupils leave school with scant knowledge or understanding of religion and beliefs, according to a report by Ofsted inspectors released today.

Independent

There is, however, scant knowledge about the timing of physical activity during the course of a day.

BMC Public Health

There is also scant knowledge concerning the effect of the in-office and home bleaching systems on these latest developments.

BioMed Research International

His status as a populist frontman for science followed on from his 2003 book, A Short History of Nearly Everything in which he roamed – "always at the very edge of my scant knowledge" – across many scientific questions from the big bang onwards.

The Guardian - Books

His status as a populist frontman for science followed on from his 2003 book, A Short History of Nearly Everything in which he roamed – "always at the very edge of my scant knowledge" – across many scientific questions from the big bang onwards.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precision is crucial, quantify the "scant knowledge" if possible. Instead of just stating "scant knowledge of economics", specify "a basic understanding of macroeconomic principles".

Common error

Be careful not to exaggerate the absence of knowledge. "Scant knowledge" implies some awareness, however limited. If there's absolutely no knowledge, use "complete ignorance of" or "total lack of understanding".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scant knowledge of" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, followed by a preposition. It describes a deficiency or lack of understanding regarding a particular subject. Ludwig examples show its wide application across various topics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "scant knowledge of" is a versatile and widely used expression to denote a limited understanding of a subject. Ludwig AI analysis, drawing from numerous examples, affirms its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance across diverse contexts, especially in news, scientific, and academic domains. While the phrase is appropriate for both formal and informal communication, being aware of nuances and potential overstatements will help you use it effectively. Alternatives like "limited understanding of" and "insufficient knowledge of" provide similar meanings with subtle differences in emphasis. The insights from Ludwig offer valuable guidance for accurate and nuanced writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insufficient knowledge of

Replaces "scant" with "insufficient", emphasizing inadequacy.

limited understanding of

Shifts from "knowledge" to "understanding", highlighting comprehension.

poor understanding of

Uses "poor" instead of "scant" or "insufficient", connoting a lower quality of understanding.

minimal awareness of

Focuses on the lack of awareness rather than comprehensive knowledge.

inadequate grasp of

Uses "grasp" to imply a failure to fully seize or understand a concept.

superficial knowledge of

Emphasizes that knowledge exists, but it is not deep or thorough.

rudimentary understanding of

Implies only a basic, beginning-level comprehension.

lack of familiarity with

Highlights unfamiliarity, suggesting a need for introduction to the subject.

limited exposure to

Focuses on restricted experience or contact with the subject matter.

tenuous understanding of

Indicates a weak or fragile comprehension that is easily shaken.

FAQs

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

You can use "scant knowledge of" to indicate that someone has a limited or insufficient understanding of something. For example, "Despite his efforts, he demonstrated "scant knowledge of" the subject matter".

What are some alternatives to "scant knowledge of"?

Alternatives to "scant knowledge of" include phrases like "limited understanding of", "insufficient knowledge of", or "minimal awareness of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "scant knowledge of" or "limited knowledge of"?

"Scant knowledge of" and "limited knowledge of" are quite similar. "Scant" implies a smaller amount or degree than "limited", suggesting a slightly greater deficiency. The choice depends on the degree of limitation you wish to express.

How formal is the phrase "scant knowledge of"?

The phrase "scant knowledge of" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's more sophisticated than saying someone "doesn't know much about" something, but not overly technical or specialized.