the very knowledge of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the very knowledge of" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to an awareness or understanding of something. For example: "The very knowledge of how dangerous the situation was made me nervous."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It's the very knowledge of connectivity, or its lack, that's the problem.

The New Yorker

"In the past, the very knowledge of these materials was anecdotal and privileged, shared only by an elite of staff members and historians.

The New York Times

Still, might not the very knowledge of his superiority lead to a relaxation of vigilance that will prove fatal, in the end?

The New Yorker

The EDAM ontology provides such descriptors, but its terms have to be associated manually, and their precise attribution highly depends on the very knowledge of the ontology itself.

Data Science and Engineering

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Isolation of viable parasites from edible tissues of camels and the very poor knowledge of pastoralists about toxoplasmosis, suggest that people are at a higher risk of acquiring T. gondii infection.

BMC Veterinary Research

Powerful messages Judging by the powerful messages posted to Miller during an online questions and answer session on the Guardian website last week, most concerns about the reforms appear not to be based on lack of information but on the very precise knowledge of the system that people who rely on benefits have to acquire.

The Guardian

In this respect the very detailed knowledge of the Ancient Greek dialect situation is quite untypical.

Encyclopedia Britannica

From the very basic knowledge of photoelectric and related effects it can be easily concluded, that there are clearly benefits in combining AuNPs with radiotherapy.

Cancer Nanotechnology

It is surprising that only few Aloe spp. have been grown and commercialized; this might be due to the very limited knowledge of their potent bioactive compounds.

Industrial Crops and Products

However, like the immunohistochemical markers, the features in this genetic classifier have not been interpreted biologically, mainly due to the very limited knowledge of the marker genes.

Chinese Journal of Cancer

If, in contrast, we have a conception of knowledge that incorporates into the very state of knowledge the way that the knowledge was acquired, then, Zagzebski argues, we can avoid this problem.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the very knowledge of" to emphasize the fundamental or essential understanding of a subject, particularly when that understanding influences actions or beliefs.

Common error

Avoid using "the very knowledge of" in situations where a simpler phrase like "knowing" or "understanding" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the very knowledge of" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and demonstrates its function in context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the very knowledge of" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to emphasize the core importance of understanding something. While Ludwig indicates that this phrase appears in various reliable sources, its usage is somewhat uncommon. As demonstrated by the provided examples, it frequently appears in news and science contexts, underlining how fundamental understanding impacts decisions and perceptions. When writing, it's vital to use this phrase deliberately, ensuring it adds meaningful emphasis rather than unnecessary complexity. Use simpler alternatives like “knowing” or “understanding” where appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the awareness of

Replaces 'knowledge' with 'awareness', emphasizing a state of being conscious of something.

the understanding of

Substitutes 'knowledge' with 'understanding', focusing on comprehension.

the comprehension of

Similar to understanding, but emphasizes a thorough grasp of the subject.

the cognizance of

Replaces 'knowledge' with the more formal 'cognizance', indicating a formal or official awareness.

the recognition of

Emphasizes the act of acknowledging or identifying something.

the perception of

Shifts the focus to 'perception', highlighting how something is interpreted or viewed.

the consciousness of

Focuses on the state of being aware, highlighting a deeper understanding.

the grasp of

Implies a firm understanding or control of a concept or subject.

the appreciation of

Suggests a valuing or recognition of the importance of something, adding an element of positive regard.

the insight into

Shifts to 'insight,' indicating a deeper, more intuitive understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "the very knowledge of" in a sentence?

Use "the very knowledge of" to emphasize the importance or impact of knowing something. For example: "The very knowledge of the risks made him hesitant to proceed."

What's a simpler alternative to "the very knowledge of"?

Depending on the context, you can use simpler phrases like "knowing", "understanding", or "awareness".

When is it appropriate to use "the very knowledge of"?

It is appropriate when you want to highlight the essential or foundational nature of the knowledge being discussed.

Is there a difference between "the very knowledge of" and "a basic understanding of"?

Yes. "The very knowledge of" emphasizes a core, fundamental awareness, whereas "a basic understanding of" suggests a rudimentary or introductory level of comprehension.