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Englishnewbie Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

knowledge

Hello,

I am not sure when to use "a" in knowledge.

I have deep knowledge of cars.
I have a deep knowledge of cars.

Dictionaries seem to say uncountable and singlar, but I am confused about when I should use "a."

Please explain...

Thank you!!
  

Top answer

I prefer the second one. "knowledge" is usually uncountable, but in certain patterns, such as when the knowledge is said to be of a certain kind, it can take the indefinite article. " is an example.

— GPY

  • I prefer the second one.
  • "knowledge" is usually uncountable, but in certain patterns, such as when the knowledge is said to be of a certain kind, it can take the indefinite article.
  • " is an example.
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13 Answers
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I prefer the second one. "knowledge" is usually uncountable, but in certain patterns, such as when the knowledge is said to be of a certain kind, it can take the indefinite article. "a deep knowledge of..." is an example.
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englishnewbieconfused about when I should use "a."
Use a//an when an adjective intervenes before knowledge.

CJ
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CalifJimUse a//an when an adjective intervenes before knowledge.
I'm not sure I fully agree with that. For example "Superficial knowledge is worse than ignorance" sounds fine to me.

Also, there are other cases where the article can be used, as in "a knowledge of cars" or "a knowledge that...".
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GPYI'm not sure I fully agree with that. For example "Superficial knowledge is worse than ignorance" sounds fine to me.Also, there are other cases where the article can be used, as in "a knowledge of cars" or "a knowledge that...".
Yes. What I proposed is not complete. Please propose a better rule, e.g.,

Use a/an when knowledge is modified by
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What really confused me is this:

This is what I found in

http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/knowledge

knowledge of/about:
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Oh, the link doesn't show.

It is macmillandictionary
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englishnewbieSolicitors should possess detailed knowledge of certain aspects of the law .Candidates for the job must have a working knowledge of at least one European language .Why is there no "a" in front of "detailed knowledge" but there is one before "working knowledge"?
There is no particular reason why "a" is omitted from the first. Both styles are equall
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englishnewbieThis is what I found
Interesting. The example for knowledge, uncountable, has a working knowledge. It seems to me that the use of a makes it countable, so why that example? I, too, would be confused by this.
englishnewbieWhy is there no "a" in front of "detailed knowledge" but th
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Thank for your reply...but I am serious about my head... Emotion: sad
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CalifJimInteresting. The example for knowledge, uncountable, has a working knowledge. It seems to me that the use of a makes it countable, so why that example? I, too, would be confused by this.
"working knowledges" anyone?
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