small knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small knowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a lack of knowledge, experience, or understanding in a particular area. For example, "When it comes to fixing computers, I have a very small knowledge base".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Small knowledge that betrays wider ignorance, handing the tradesman any advantage he seeks.

The Guardian - Books

"ALFIE," which had its premiere at the Ziegfeld on Monday night, is the story of a playboy, so we were delighted to be able to snare MICK JAGGER -- who has no small knowledge of the terrain -- in the lobby.

The New York Times

"I think if you have any small knowledge of musicals, you're going to be all right," said Anna-Jane Casey, 36, who is returning to the Menier for the first time since co-starring in "Sunday In the Park With George" nearly four years ago.

The New York Times - Arts

"It was possible even then, with my small knowledge of the scale of events overtaking all of us, to guess that these pathetic laborers would die in enormous numbers and be the biggest victims of the railway," Mr. Lomax wrote in his 1995 memoir, "The Railway Man".

The New York Times

P-prims are small knowledge elements whose origins stem from repeated abstractions of familiar events.

International Journal of STEM Education

After all, there is still a small knowledge about the problem, and about how the class should be built.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Furthermore, the original extremely large-scale knowledge matrix can be efficiently decomposed into several simplified small-scale knowledge matrices through a binary state-action chain, while the continuous actions can be generated for continuous variables.

Energy

"As for Mr Keats's Endymion, it has just as much to do with Greece as it has with 'old Tartary the fierce'; no man, whose mind has ever been imbued with the smallest knowledge or feeling of classical poetry or classical history, could have stooped to profane and vulgarise every association in the manner which has been adopted by this 'son of promise'", ran the Blackwood's review.

The Guardian - Books

There is, however, a much smaller knowledge base as to the structure of a-TCOs and a-TOSs than for their crystalline counterparts.

Chemistry of Materials

In contrast, we identified higher perceived current knowledge levels, and smaller knowledge gaps, to be regarding more theory-based CTP subtopics, including; the mechanism of action of cannabis, potential risks, and potential benefits.

BMC Medical Education

Most small businesses have little knowledge or the time to think about new systems for conducting their business.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "small knowledge", ensure the context clarifies the specific area where the knowledge is limited. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the lack of knowledge. Instead of saying "I have absolutely no knowledge," which might sound dismissive or insincere, opt for "I have only a "small knowledge" of this topic," which acknowledges the limitation without being overly negative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small knowledge" functions as a noun phrase, where "small" modifies the noun "knowledge". It's used to describe the extent or amount of understanding or information someone possesses. As Ludwig AI points out, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

50%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "small knowledge" is a valid and commonly used expression to describe a limited understanding or awareness of a particular subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media and scientific writing. While alternatives like "limited understanding" or "basic awareness" exist, "small knowledge" provides a direct and clear way to convey a lack of expertise. When using this phrase, it's beneficial to specify the area where knowledge is limited to enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity. Remember that this phrase is commonly used, ensuring that your reader clearly understands your meaning when referring to having a "small knowledge" base.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited understanding

Emphasizes the restriction in comprehension, focusing on understanding rather than just information.

basic awareness

Highlights the fundamental nature of the knowledge possessed, implying a lack of depth.

rudimentary knowledge

Indicates a very basic or initial level of knowledge, often suggesting it's incomplete.

superficial understanding

Suggests a shallow level of comprehension, lacking thoroughness or depth.

limited expertise

Focuses on the lack of specialized skill or knowledge in a particular field.

scant information

Highlights the scarcity or insufficiency of the available information.

cursory knowledge

Implies a hasty or superficial acquisition of knowledge, lacking detailed understanding.

elementary knowledge

Indicates a basic level of understanding, suitable for beginners or novices.

a smattering of knowledge

Suggests a small, scattered amount of knowledge, often acquired incidentally.

brief acquaintance

Implies a short-term or initial exposure to a subject, resulting in limited knowledge.

FAQs

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

You can use "small knowledge" to describe a limited understanding of a subject. For instance, "Despite his "small knowledge" of astrophysics, he enjoyed reading about black holes."

What's a more formal way to say "small knowledge"?

A more formal alternative to "small knowledge" is "limited expertise" or "rudimentary understanding". These phrases are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

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

Both "little knowledge" and "small knowledge" are acceptable, but "little knowledge" is slightly more common. "Small knowledge" emphasizes the size or extent of the knowledge, while "little knowledge" focuses on the amount.

What are some common phrases used with "small knowledge"?

Common phrases used with "small knowledge" include "a "small knowledge" of", "having a "small knowledge"", and "despite a "small knowledge"". These phrases help to integrate the concept into broader sentences.