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Definition knowledge in British English

knowledge noun

noun
/ˈnɒlɪdʒ/

Knowledge is an uncountable noun, so it is never used in the plural:

✗ Students don’t understand how to use these knowledges in real life.

✓ Students don’t understand how to use this knowledge in real life.

✗ We can exchange our experiences and strengthen our knowledges.

✓ We can exchange our experiences and strengthen our knowledge.

Knowledge is sometimes used with a, but only in the pattern a knowledge of something (or a good/deep/thorough etc knowledge of something):

Effective use of language necessitates a good knowledge of grammar.

The usual preposition that follows ong>knowledgeong> is ong>ofong>. Don’t use the prepositions ong>inong> or on:

✗ It takes more than just knowledge in a subject to succeed.

✓ It takes more than just knowledge of a subject to succeed.

✗ This is where you can gain a general knowledge base, and specific knowledge on the subject you have chosen to study.

✓ This is where you can gain a general knowledge base, and specific knowledge of the subject you have chosen to study.

The preposition about can also be used with knowledge, but it is much less frequent than of:

1

all the facts that someone knows about a particular subject

Example

The teacher's comments are designed to help improve your knowledge and understanding.

Example

Solicitors should possess detailed knowledge of certain aspects of the law.

Example

Candidates for the job must have a working knowledge of at least one European language.

Synonyms and related words
1.1

all the facts that are known about different things or about life generally

Example

the pursuit of knowledge

Synonyms and related words
2

the fact that someone knows about something, especially something bad

Example

We had no knowledge of the incident.

Example

Daniels has denied all knowledge of the events.

Example

The staff had no knowledge that the company was in trouble.

Example

I say this in the knowledge that nothing will be done.

Synonyms and related words
Definition knowledge in British English