wider knowledge of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wider knowledge of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an increased or broader understanding of a particular subject or topic. Example: "The seminar aims to provide participants with a wider knowledge of environmental sustainability practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Would wider knowledge of the Baltimore Catechism or New Testament stories really advance debates on, say, stem-cell research?

The New York Times - Books

Sometimes they've demanded a wider knowledge of particular places, times and events than most Americans can bring to them.

The New York Times

Interestingly, D says his new partner's musical knowledge is incredibly extensive, admitting it's Curtis who has the wider knowledge of popular music.

The Guardian - Music

The fact that a transcript of Taylor's voicemail messages were passed back to the NoW, where they were transcribed by a junior reporter and returned to Mulcaire, implied there was wider knowledge of hacking within the newsroom.

The Guardian

I hope that concerns for the health of American women and children and wider knowledge of the many valuable reproductive-health services that Planned Parenthood provides will eventually restore that bipartisan support.

The New Yorker

In 1992 the Booker Russian Novel Prize was set up to reward contemporary Russian authors, to stimulate wider knowledge of modern Russian fiction, and to encourage translation and publication of Russian fiction outside Russia.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Both men displayed wide knowledge of world events.

The New York Times

He had a wide knowledge of Eastern-European Yiddish folk music and Ashkenazi liturgical music.

The New York Times

Mr. Tudor speaks rivetingly, with many joking asides, spinning parables out of his wide knowledge of world history.

The New York Times

With his Old World gentility and wide knowledge of his field, Mr. Vincent was a quietly effective representative for his artists.

The New York Times

Karen O'Rourke clearly has wide knowledge of the field and has provided a valuable and informative book.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to convey the benefit of learning, use "wider knowledge of" to showcase a more comprehensive understanding of a topic, rather than simply knowing facts.

Common error

Avoid using "wider knowledge of" when you actually mean a more in-depth or specialized understanding. A broader understanding isn't always better; sometimes, specific expertise is needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wider knowledge of" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It denotes the extent or breadth of understanding one possesses about a particular subject. As Ludwig suggests, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

30%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

11%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wider knowledge of" effectively conveys the idea of a broad and comprehensive understanding of a subject. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. While semantically similar phrases like "broader understanding of" or "greater understanding of" exist, "wider knowledge of" maintains its value by emphasizing the breadth of information known. It is essential to use it judiciously, ensuring it aligns with the intended meaning of broad understanding, rather than in-depth expertise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broader understanding of

Focuses on comprehension rather than just information.

greater understanding of

Emphasizes depth of understanding.

increased awareness of

Highlights recognition and consciousness.

expanded awareness of

Highlights a broadening of perspective or understanding.

enhanced understanding of

Focuses on the improvement of comprehension.

improved comprehension of

Highlights the result of improving comprehension.

more comprehensive grasp of

Emphasizes thoroughness and completeness.

deeper insight into

Focuses on penetrating beyond the surface.

extensive familiarity with

Highlights practical knowledge and experience.

larger perspective on

Highlights broader viewpoint and bigger picture.

FAQs

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

You can use "wider knowledge of" to indicate a broader or more comprehensive understanding of a particular subject. For example, "The course aims to provide students with a "wider knowledge of" European history".

What phrases are similar to "wider knowledge of"?

Similar phrases include "broader understanding of", "greater understanding of", or "increased awareness of".

Is it better to have a "wider knowledge of" something or a deeper knowledge?

It depends on the context. "Wider knowledge of" implies a broad understanding of various aspects, while deeper knowledge suggests a more thorough and specialized understanding. Each has its advantages depending on the situation.

Can "wider knowledge of" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "wider knowledge of" is suitable for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to describe a broad understanding of a topic.