unfamiliar with technology

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unfamiliar with technology" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who does not have knowledge or experience with technology. Example: "Many older adults may feel unfamiliar with technology, making it challenging for them to navigate modern devices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Risk averse trustees and senior managers, often unfamiliar with technology and uneasy about the digital project anyway, make all the commissioning decisions and sign things off.

The Guardian

At the time, Williams had a small staff and the management was unfamiliar with technology used for its electronic games.

Wikipedia

James Lewis, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said Congress' failure to pass cyber legislation was partly due to lawmakers being unfamiliar with technology.

Huffington Post

Patients who are unfamiliar with technology, live alone, or have low motivation to reach a diagnosis have a lower diagnostic yield from external loop recorders (Gula et al 2004), which limits their usefulness in the elderly.

Clinical interventions in aging

Study findings support that the participants who were unfamiliar with technology are able to use it with training and continuous supervision, similar to what's seen in other studies [ 19].

BMC Nursing

Each of these populations may have specific technological needs; for example, younger individuals who are more comfortable with technology may desire more complex or customizable functionality, while older adults, who may be unfamiliar with technology, may require a simpler format or more extensive training.

BMC Psychiatry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

People who are unfamiliar with the technology in question may nonetheless have knowledge of context that is highly relevant to assessing that technology.

Environmental Sciences Europe

With a few exceptions, like the Croxton Collaborative, architects are unfamiliar with environmental technology and have formed few durable alliances with engineers who practice it.

The New York Times - Arts

In Miami-Dade and Broward some poll workers, mostly elderly people unfamiliar with computer technology, didn't like the newfangled system and dropped out of classes.

The Economist

Mr. Nelson said that he knew of more than 50 companies that specialize in plate recognition but that many people in the security industry were still unfamiliar with the technology.

The New York Times - Tech

For example, with much of the evidence against Mr. Quattrone contained in e-mail messages, his lawyers were able to ask whether potential jurors used e-mail, apparently hoping to eliminate those unfamiliar with the technology (and with how easy it is to hit the send message button without premeditation, as Mr. Quattrone claimed to have done with a message for his staff to "clean up those files").

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "unfamiliar with technology", be specific about the context. For instance, are they unfamiliar with computers, mobile devices, or specific software?

Common error

Avoid assuming everyone is technologically literate. When addressing an audience, provide clear instructions and support for those who might be "unfamiliar with technology".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unfamiliar with technology" functions as an adjective phrase describing a state of lacking knowledge or experience related to technology. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unfamiliar with technology" is a grammatically sound and commonly used way to describe a lack of knowledge or experience with technology. Ludwig AI highlights its proper usage across diverse contexts, including news, science, and business. While its frequency is classified as uncommon, it appears in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. When using the phrase, it's helpful to provide context and avoid assumptions of universal technological literacy. Alternative phrases include "lacking technological expertise" and "not tech-savvy".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking technological expertise

Focuses on the absence of specific skills or knowledge within the technological field.

not tech-savvy

A more informal and concise way of saying someone is not skilled or knowledgeable about technology.

technologically challenged

Highlights the difficulties someone faces when interacting with technology.

inexperienced with technological tools

Emphasizes the lack of hands-on experience with specific technological instruments.

unversed in modern technology

Highlights a lack of familiarity with the latest technological advancements.

not conversant with technology

A more formal alternative, indicating a lack of familiarity or fluency with technology.

new to technology

Suggests a recent introduction to technology, implying a learning curve.

naive about technology

Conveys a sense of innocence or lack of awareness regarding the complexities of technology.

not digitally literate

Highlights the absence of essential skills to use digital technologies effectively.

unskilled in technology

Focuses on the lack of practical skills related to technology.

FAQs

What's a simple way to explain "unfamiliar with technology"?

It means someone lacks knowledge or experience using technology. You could also say they are "not tech-savvy" or "technologically challenged".

How can I help someone who is "unfamiliar with technology"?

Offer patient and step-by-step guidance. Start with basic concepts and gradually introduce more complex features. Consider using visual aids and "provide training" materials.

Is it appropriate to use the term "unfamiliar with technology" in a professional setting?

Yes, but be mindful of the context. While it's a neutral term, framing it positively, such as "new to technology" or "seeking to expand their technical skills", can be more encouraging. It's also possible to say that someone is "not conversant with technology".

What are some common challenges faced by people "unfamiliar with technology"?

They may struggle with basic tasks like using computers, navigating the internet, or operating mobile devices. They might also feel intimidated by new technologies and "require a simpler format" or more extensive training.