- Have you ever felt like you “have knowledge” but can’t find a more descriptive way to say it?
- Do you struggle to choose the right verb to go before the word “knowledge” in a professional email?
- Are you unsure whether to say “knowledge about” or “knowledge of” when discussing your expertise?
Mastering Knowledge collocations is a game-changer for English learners. In English, words don’t live in isolation; they travel in “word partnerships.” Using the right collocations makes you sound more natural, reduces your mental translation time, and ensures your professional communication is precise and impactful.
Essential Collocations using KNOWLEDGE as a Noun
In modern English, “knowledge” functions exclusively as a noun. It is an uncountable noun, meaning we do not say “knowledges.” To describe it accurately, we rely on specific adjectives and verbs to provide context and scale.
Adjectives Used with Knowledge (Describing Scope)
- Extensive knowledge: A very broad and deep understanding of a subject.
Example: “She has extensive knowledge of international tax law.” - Specialized knowledge: Information or skills related to a specific, narrow field.
Example: “The role requires specialized knowledge of cloud computing architectures.” - Superficial knowledge: A shallow or basic understanding that lacks depth.
Example: “I only have a superficial knowledge of the local language.” - First-hand knowledge: Information gained through direct experience rather than hearing it from others.
Example: “Having lived there for a decade, he has first-hand knowledge of the culture.” - Common knowledge: Something that is known by everyone.
Example: “It is common knowledge that smoking is harmful to your health.”
Verbs + Knowledge (Taking Action)
- Acquire knowledge: To learn or gain information over time (formal).
Example: “The internship is a great way to acquire knowledge of the industry.” - Broaden/Expand knowledge: To increase what you already know.
Example: “Reading daily is the best way to broaden your knowledge of the world.” - Demonstrate knowledge: To show others what you know.
Example: “In the interview, you need to demonstrate your knowledge of our company’s history.” - Lack knowledge: When you do not have the necessary information.
Example: “Many consumers lack knowledge regarding their data privacy rights.” - Share knowledge: To pass information on to others.
Example: “We use a central database to share knowledge across different departments.”
Knowledge + Prepositions
- Knowledge of: The most common preposition used to indicate the subject.
Example: “His knowledge of chemistry is impressive.” - To the best of my knowledge: A fixed phrase used to say that you believe something is true, based on what you know.
Example: “To the best of my knowledge, the meeting is still scheduled for 3 PM.”
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Acquire knowledge | Verb + Noun | To learn or get new information. |
| Extensive knowledge | Adjective + Noun | A very large amount of knowledge. |
| In-depth knowledge | Adjective + Noun | Detailed and thorough understanding. |
| Lack knowledge | Verb + Noun | To not know enough about something. |
| Working knowledge | Adjective + Noun | Enough knowledge to do a specific job. |
| Update knowledge | Verb + Noun | To learn the newest information. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| A big knowledge | Extensive/Vast knowledge |
| Many knowledges | A lot of knowledge / Much knowledge |
| Get knowledge | Gain/Acquire knowledge |
| Learn knowledge | Gain knowledge / Learn a skill |
| Knowledge about… | Knowledge of… (More natural in most cases) |
“When applying for the position, Sarah made sure to emphasize her extensive knowledge of digital marketing. Although she had a working knowledge of graphic design, she knew she needed to broaden her knowledge in data analytics to be truly competitive. To the best of her knowledge, the company was looking for someone who could share knowledge across the entire creative team.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Knowledge Collocations
Is “knowledge” countable or uncountable?
“Knowledge” is an uncountable (mass) noun. This means you cannot say “a knowledge” or “knowledges.” However, you can use phrases like “a wealth of knowledge” or “a deep knowledge of” to provide a sense of quantity.
What is the difference between “knowledge of” and “knowledge about”?
<pWhile both are used, "knowledge of" is generally more common and sounds more formal/natural in academic and professional settings (e.g., "knowledge of physics"). "Knowledge about" is often used for more general or informal topics (e.g., "knowledge about the local area").
Can I say “I learned a lot of knowledge”?
Technically, it is understandable, but native speakers rarely use the verb “learn” with “knowledge.” Instead, we “gain,” “acquire,” or “develop” knowledge. You “learn” a subject or a skill, but you “gain knowledge.”
What does “working knowledge” mean?
A “working knowledge” means you know enough about a subject or a tool to use it effectively for a job, even if you are not an absolute expert. For example, “I have a working knowledge of Excel” means you can use it for daily tasks.
What is the opposite of “extensive knowledge”?
The most common opposites are “superficial knowledge,” “limited knowledge,” or “scant knowledge.” These all imply that the person only knows the basics or very little about the topic.
Thank you for this guide! As an English teacher in Brazil, I find my students always struggle with the uncountable nature of 'knowledge.' This summary is perfect for them.
I find the preposition 'in' being used sometimes, like 'knowledge in the field of science.' Is that wrong?
It's not necessarily 'wrong,' Luka, but it's usually the 'field' that takes 'in.' So, 'knowledge of science' or 'knowledge in the field of science.' Stick to 'knowledge of [subject]' to be safe!
Does 'common knowledge' mean everyone knows it, or just people in a specific group?
Can I use 'limited knowledge' instead of 'superficial knowledge'? 'Superficial' feels a bit like a criticism of the person.
Spot on, Diego! 'Limited knowledge' is a much more neutral and polite way to describe a lack of depth. It focuses on the amount of information rather than suggesting the person's understanding is shallow.
Is 'encyclopedic knowledge' only for people who are like geniuses? I read it in a book recently.
I always use 'get knowledge,' but it sounds a bit childish now that I read this. 'Acquire' sounds much better for my university papers.
The article mentions adjectives for scope, but what about adjectives for quality? Like 'outdated knowledge' or 'reliable knowledge'?
What about the verb 'brush up on'? Can I say 'I need to brush up on my knowledge of marketing'?
Yes, Ivan! That is a very natural, idiomatic way to say you want to refresh or improve your existing knowledge. Well done!
I often confuse 'knowledge' and 'information.' Are the collocations the same? Can I say 'extensive information'?
Good question, Amelie! While they are related, they aren't always interchangeable. You can say 'extensive information,' but 'knowledge' usually implies understanding and internalizing the facts, whereas 'information' is just the data itself.
In my country, we say 'deep knowledge.' Is that a common collocation in English, or should I stick to 'extensive'?
Hi Carlos! 'Deep knowledge' is perfectly acceptable and very common. 'In-depth knowledge' is another very professional alternative you might want to try!