scanty knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

"scanty knowledge" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means having a limited or insufficient amount of knowledge about something. It can be used in various contexts depending on the specific meaning one wants to convey. Example 1: "Despite his years of experience in the field, John's knowledge of digital marketing was still scanty." Example 2: "Her scanty knowledge of foreign languages made it difficult for her to communicate with the locals during her trip to Japan." Example 3: "The candidates' debate revealed their scanty knowledge of foreign policy and international relations." Example 4: "The article was well-researched and provided ample evidence to support the author's argument, unlike others that only offer scanty knowledge on the topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

However, there is scanty knowledge about comminution of non-brittle materials in contrast to brittle materials.

International Journal of Mineral Processing

Like many others, Tasha's scanty knowledge of HIV and AIDS was liberally peppered with myths.

Unicef

On the other hand, there is scanty knowledge about the pathophysiological effects induced by PPAR- γ dysfunctions.

BioMed Research International

To complement the still scanty knowledge of the properties and functions of the MACITs in vertebrates we embarked on an investigation of the evolution of these proteins and their possible roles in invertebrates, with an experimental focus on Caenorhabditis elegans.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The history of their geographic dispersion is based almost entirely on linguistic criteria, since historical knowledge is recent and archaeological finds are scanty and interpreted variously.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To my own admittedly scantier knowledge, this conclusion is far from universal among biblical scholars.

The New York Times - Books

Informants noted that the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Organization (NAV) sends routine information about the RGP scheme only in Norwegian, which leads to scanty or incorrect knowledge about the system among migrants (especially among labour- and family-reunification migrants), who may have insufficient knowledge of Norwegian.

European Journal of General Practice

The clues to early knowledge are scanty, consisting of clay tablets bearing cuneiform signs and seals that were used by physicians of ancient Mesopotamia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Maybe Macpherson decided that, since she was in the game herself, she could flog expensive scanties safe in the knowledge that her products would be publicised with great enthusiasm, in order that likable and attractive pictures of her could be reproduced.

The Guardian

To our knowledge, there are scanty data in the literature concerning the long-term outcome of such a cohort of patients; in particular, it is unclear whether the mentioned yearly recurrence rate (2 5%) is superior compared to the incidence of new lung cancers usually detected in the general population.

British Journal of Cancer

As to the best of our knowledge, the literature is scanty on reports focusing on the importance of t-PA/PAI-1 complex and its relationship with enhanced bleeding after CPB.

BMC Anesthesiology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scanty knowledge", consider adding context to clarify the specific area or topic where the knowledge is lacking. This provides a clearer picture of the situation and its implications.

Common error

Avoid using "scanty knowledge" when you mean a surface-level understanding. "Scanty" implies a lack of information, whereas "superficial" implies a lack of depth, even if the amount of information is considerable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scanty knowledge" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "scanty" modifies the noun "knowledge". As indicated by Ludwig, it describes the state of having an inadequate or limited amount of information or understanding about a particular subject.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scanty knowledge" is a valid and useful phrase for describing a limited or inadequate understanding of a subject. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it’s grammatically sound and applicable in various contexts. While similar to phrases like "limited knowledge" or "insufficient information", "scanty" often suggests that the information is not just limited but possibly unreliable. Therefore, it's crucial to use the phrase accurately to convey the intended meaning. Remember that the main sources that contains this phrase are Science, News & Media, and Encyclopedias. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively communicate the extent and reliability of knowledge in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited understanding

Focuses on the comprehension aspect rather than the amount of knowledge itself.

insufficient information

Emphasizes the lack of available data or facts.

patchy understanding

Highlights the uneven or incomplete nature of the knowledge.

rudimentary knowledge

Suggests a basic or elementary level of understanding.

superficial understanding

Indicates a shallow or surface-level grasp of the subject.

incomplete grasp

Highlights the unfinished nature of the knowledge.

meager understanding

Emphasizes the limited quantity of knowledge.

deficient knowledge

Stresses the lack of necessary information or expertise.

inadequate information

Emphasizes the insufficiency of the available information.

sketchy knowledge

Implies a vague and unreliable understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "scanty knowledge" to describe a situation where someone has a limited or insufficient understanding of a particular subject. For example, "His "scanty knowledge" of the subject made it difficult for him to contribute to the discussion."

What are some alternatives to saying "scanty knowledge"?

Alternatives to "scanty knowledge" include "limited understanding", "insufficient information", or "patchy understanding", depending on the context.

Is "scanty knowledge" a formal or informal phrase?

"Scanty knowledge" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

What's the difference between "limited knowledge" and "scanty knowledge"?

While both phrases suggest a lack of information, "scanty knowledge" often implies that the available information is not only limited but potentially unreliable or inadequate. "Limited knowledge" simply indicates a restricted amount of understanding.