technical know how

USAGE SUMMARY

'technical know how' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an individual's knowledge and skill related to a particular technology. For example: "John has a lot of technical know-how when it comes to programming software applications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The deciphering requires technical know-how.

The New York Times - Food

The government also helps with technical know-how and training.

The Economist

The family internist was sympathetic but lacked the technical know-how.

The New York Times - Health

With modest technical know-how, European internet users will be able to make American-style searches.

The Economist

"This itself is a challenge: the transmission of technical know-how".

The New York Times

Partners include groups like Cotton Inc., an American industry association that has provided technical know-how.

The New York Times

In practice, however, a certain amount of technical know-how is required.

The Economist

Transferring a management style, after all, is a lot harder than transferring technical know-how.

The Economist

They added that Mr. Crawford may have had the technical know-how to realize his goal.

The New York Times

Thanks largely to my technical know-how, the DVD sat, unusable, for months.

The New York Times

Or maybe technical know-how that could transform the world No4 into the world No1?

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person's abilities, use "technical know how" to emphasize practical skills and understanding rather than theoretical knowledge. For example, "She has the "technical know how" to troubleshoot complex systems efficiently."

Common error

Avoid using "technical know how" when you actually mean theoretical understanding. "Technical know how" implies practical ability; if you're referring to knowledge without application, consider using "technical knowledge" or "technical understanding" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "technical know how" functions as a noun phrase that describes the practical skills and abilities related to a specific technical field. It refers to the capability to effectively apply technical knowledge in real-world situations. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the expression is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

4%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Technical know how" is a commonly used phrase that refers to the practical skills and abilities related to a specific technical domain. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered correct and usable in written English. It functions as a noun phrase and is used to convey the presence of practical skills and expertise. While versatile, more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "technical expertise". It is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, and less commonly in Wiki sources. Remember that while "technical knowledge" refers to understanding, "technical know how" emphasizes the ability to apply that understanding effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

technical expertise

Focuses more on the depth of knowledge and skill in a specific technical field.

technical proficiency

Emphasizes competence and skill level in technical tasks.

practical technical knowledge

Highlights the hands-on, applicable aspect of technical understanding.

applied technical skills

Stresses the ability to use technical knowledge in real-world applications.

mastery of technical skills

Indicates a high level of competence and control over technical abilities.

specialized technical abilities

Highlights the focus on unique and niche technical skills.

hands-on technical experience

Focuses on the practical, direct involvement and learning through experience.

deep technical understanding

Emphasizes a thorough and comprehensive grasp of technical concepts.

competent technical ability

Indicates a satisfactory and capable level of technical skill.

strong technical background

Refers to a solid and comprehensive foundation of technical knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "technical know how" in a sentence?

You can use "technical know how" to describe someone's practical skills and understanding of technical concepts. For example: "The success of the project relied on their "technical know how"."

What are some alternatives to "technical know how"?

Alternatives include "technical expertise", "technical proficiency", or "practical technical knowledge", depending on the specific context.

Is "technical know how" formal or informal?

"Technical know how" is suitable for both professional and informal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, "technical expertise" might be preferred.

What's the difference between "technical know how" and "technical knowledge"?

"Technical know how" emphasizes practical skills and the ability to apply knowledge, while "technical knowledge" refers to the theoretical understanding of technical concepts. Having "practical technical knowledge" usually means that one also has "technical know how".