scattered knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

"scattered knowledge" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It typically refers to having pieces of knowledge or information that are not organized or connected in a cohesive manner. It can also imply a lack of depth or thorough understanding of a topic. Example: "Although she had studied various subjects in school, her scattered knowledge made it difficult for her to excel in any one area."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing and widely scattered knowledge base in this emerging field.

Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences

Scattered knowledge about defects and defect detection techniques needs compilation and re-evaluation in order to enhance the ability to discover defects in the requirements phase.

Alexandria Engineering Journal

It represents a timely paradigm shift in that it considers environmental sounds as a 'resource' rather than a 'waste.' This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing and widely scattered knowledge base in this emerging field.

Encyclopedia of Environmental Health

These have helped accelerate the growth of our vast, but scattered, knowledge.

Chemistry Central Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The laptop was supposed to sweep through poor countries, scattering knowledge and connectivity all around.

The Economist

Although safety in many fields is built on accumulated lessons from past incidents, tragedies on school or youth group camps and excursions are so infrequent and so widely scattered that knowledge from previous incidents can elude those who would benefit.

Springer

Because many large companies have pockets of expertise and knowledge scattered across different locations, harnessing the cognitive diversity within organizations can open up rich new sources of innovation.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The number of requirements can be significantly large, and the knowledge scattered over different application systems used for the realisation of the design automation system.

Advanced Engineering Informatics

But we also owe to it many other kinds of projects designed to, in his words, "assemble all the knowledge scattered on the surface of the earth". It introduced not only new ways to do so but new reasons chief among them, the diffusion of information prized by an élite class into the culture at large.

The New Yorker

She discovered there had in fact been ashes for Maeve and they had been scattered without her knowledge.

BBC

The Infant Cremation Commission was set up by the Scottish government after it emerged baby ashes had been scattered without parents' knowledge.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing complex topics, acknowledge that "scattered knowledge" might exist and propose methods to consolidate and integrate it.

Common error

Avoid assuming that possessing "scattered knowledge" equates to true expertise. Highlight the need for synthesis and critical evaluation of the information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scattered knowledge" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "scattered" modifies the noun "knowledge". It describes the state or quality of knowledge being fragmented, disorganized, or incomplete. This analysis is supported by Ludwig AI's assessment that it's a valid and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scattered knowledge" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe information that is fragmented, disorganized, or incomplete. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in English writing. While it appears across diverse contexts, from science and academia to news and media, its core meaning remains consistent, denoting a deficiency in understanding. Recognizing the nuances of "scattered knowledge" enables more precise communication about the state of information and the need for synthesis and integration. Be mindful of overestimating comprehension based solely on "scattered knowledge", and consider alternative phrases like "fragmented understanding" or "piecemeal information" for conveying similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fragmented understanding

Focuses on understanding rather than just knowledge, implying a lack of holistic comprehension.

piecemeal information

Highlights the incomplete and disconnected nature of the information.

patchy awareness

Emphasizes the uneven and inconsistent nature of awareness.

uncoordinated expertise

Suggests expertise exists but isn't well-organized or utilized.

disjointed learning

Specifically refers to a learning process that lacks coherence.

disconnected facts

Focuses on the lack of connection between individual facts.

compartmentalized knowledge

Implies knowledge is isolated into separate, unrelated areas.

spotty education

Refers to an education that is incomplete or inconsistent.

assorted data

Highlights the diverse and unorganized nature of the data.

diffuse information

Suggests information is spread out and lacks focus.

FAQs

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

You can use "scattered knowledge" to describe a situation where information is fragmented and not well-organized. For example: "The project suffered from a lack of central coordination, resulting in "scattered knowledge" among team members".

What's the difference between "scattered knowledge" and "comprehensive knowledge"?

"Scattered knowledge" refers to fragmented and disorganized information, while "comprehensive knowledge" implies a thorough and well-integrated understanding of a subject.

What can I say instead of "scattered knowledge"?

You can use alternatives like "fragmented understanding", "piecemeal information", or "patchy awareness" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "scattered knowledge" a negative term?

Yes, "scattered knowledge" typically has a negative connotation, suggesting a lack of thoroughness or organization in one's understanding of a subject. It implies that the knowledge is incomplete or difficult to apply effectively.