Common Mistakes : knowledge

knowledge – Noun

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BAD: I don’t have much knowledge about it

GOOD: I don’t know much about it

BAD: I only have a little knowledge about the United States

GOOD: I don’t know very much about the United States

DUBIOUS: The man had a good knowledge of car engines

GOOD: The man knew a lot about car engines

When talking informally about how much someone knows about something, use the verb know (NOT have … knowledge ): ‘I don’t know anything at all about computers.’ Talk to Pam. She knows a lot about horses

Have … knowledge is mainly used in formal styles when you give precise details of what someone knows: Tucker has an excellent knowledge of Sri Lankan tea plantations

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BAD: I’ve learned a lot of knowledge during the course

GOOD: I’ve learned a lot during the course

BAD: They get the knowledge of AIDS from the television

GOOD: They learn about AIDS from the television

learn a lot/a great deal (NOT learn/get … knowledge ): ‘I’ve learned a lot this year.’ She’s improving but she still has a lot to learn

learn about sth : We’ve been learning about the American political system

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DUBIOUS: I would like to get more knowledge of ancient history

GOOD: I would like to improve my knowledge of ancient history

improve/increase/further/brush up your knowledge (of sth ): I’d like to improve my knowledge of Asian cultures

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BAD: I am attending this course to improve my knowledges of English

GOOD: I am attending this course to improve my knowledge of English

Knowledge never has a plural ending: With all your knowledge, you should be a teacher

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BAD: In this job you will need a good knowledge in English

GOOD: In this job you will need a good knowledge of English

knowledge of a subject (NOT in/on ): She displayed an impressive knowledge of modern French literature