substantial knowledge of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial knowledge of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a significant level of understanding or expertise in a particular subject or field. Example: "To apply for this position, candidates must demonstrate substantial knowledge of data analysis techniques."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

The administration possesses substantial knowledge of how Mr. Mugabe has plundered Zimbabwe.

The New York Times

Therefore, the processing requires substantial knowledge of the reaction kinetics under programmed temperature conditions.

Polymer

At that date no English poet had a substantial knowledge of either the Iliad or the Odyssey.

The Guardian - Books

Her substantial knowledge of architectural history and special collections will guide her leadership of the Avery Classics collection and services.

Columbia University

At Stanford, he wants to gain more substantial knowledge of US electoral campaigns, political party organization, and lobbying.

Stanford University

Placed in charge of Firozpur, in the Punjab (1839), he acquired a substantial knowledge of Sikh politics.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Aoyama, who has since left the government agency to work at Fukushima University, has accumulated substantial knowledge on the movement of Fukushima-derived radionuclides in the ocean, which is valuable to operators of coastal nuclear power plants.

Nature

It requires substantial knowledge to produce an exhibition of this quality.

Los Angeles Times

These are merely a handful of examples of the substantial knowledge about phenotypes of relevance to evolutionary biology that is represented in this study system [ 8].

BMC Genomics

To date, no interim findings have been reported; however, the results of this study should bring substantial knowledge regarding quality of life among statin users who suffer from statin-related muscle dysfunction.

Clinical interventions in aging

It also argues that this quest is incomplete, and identifies substantial knowledge gaps, some of which are unlikely to be filled based on the current trends.

Latin American Economic Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for conciseness, consider whether the adjective "substantial" genuinely adds value. If the context already implies a significant level of understanding, "knowledge of" may suffice.

Common error

Avoid overstating your expertise. If your understanding is still developing, temper "substantial knowledge of" with phrases like "growing knowledge of" or "developing expertise in" to manage expectations realistically.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial knowledge of" functions as a noun modifier, specifically an adjectival phrase modifying "knowledge". It describes the degree or extent of knowledge possessed. The Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

28%

Academia

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial knowledge of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a significant level of expertise or understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s appropriate for diverse contexts, including academic, scientific, and professional settings. The phrase functions as an adjectival phrase modifying "knowledge", emphasizing depth and breadth. While alternatives like "considerable understanding of" or "extensive expertise in" exist, "substantial knowledge of" remains a clear and effective choice. Remember to use it judiciously and avoid overstating one's actual level of expertise. The phrase commonly appears in Science, News & Media, and Academia.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable understanding of

Replaces "knowledge" with "understanding" and "substantial" with "considerable", emphasizing comprehension.

extensive expertise in

Substitutes "knowledge" with "expertise" and "of" with "in", focusing on practical skill and experience.

significant awareness of

Replaces "knowledge" with "awareness" indicating a consciousness or familiarity with a topic.

profound insight into

Uses "insight" instead of "knowledge" and "into" instead of "of", suggesting a deeper level of comprehension.

thorough grasp of

Employs "grasp" to convey a complete understanding and "thorough" to emphasize the completeness.

comprehensive command of

Replaces "knowledge" with "command", indicating a mastery or control over the subject.

deep familiarity with

Uses "familiarity" instead of "knowledge", suggesting a comfortable and intimate understanding.

broad understanding of

Replaces "substantial" with "broad", indicating a wide-ranging, rather than deep, knowledge.

solid grounding in

Suggests a foundational and secure understanding of the subject.

considerable acquaintance with

Uses "acquaintance" instead of "knowledge", implying a less in-depth understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "substantial knowledge of" to describe someone's expertise or understanding in a particular area. For instance, "The candidate demonstrated "considerable knowledge of" data analysis techniques during the interview".

What are some alternatives to "substantial knowledge of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "extensive expertise in", "thorough understanding of", or "deep familiarity with".

Is it better to say "substantial knowledge about" or "substantial knowledge of"?

"Substantial knowledge of" is generally preferred because it is more idiomatic and grammatically sound when referring to a specific subject or area. "Substantial knowledge about" is less common but not necessarily incorrect depending on the nuance you want to convey.

How does "substantial knowledge of" differ from "basic knowledge of"?

"Substantial knowledge of" indicates a significant level of understanding and expertise, whereas "basic knowledge of" implies only a foundational or introductory understanding. The difference lies in the depth and breadth of understanding.