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Prepositions before nouns

Knowledge with prepositions

Knowledge combines with several prepositions depending on whether you mean subject area, familiarity, or attitude.

Quick answer

Which prepositions are common with knowledge?

Knowledge of is the most common pattern for a subject or fact. Knowledge in is used for expertise in a field. To knowledge appears in expressions like to my knowledge. With knowledge usually means acting while knowing something. For knowledge is uncommon in modern English.

good knowledge of French
expertise and knowledge in biology
to my knowledge, the office is closed.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
knowledge of + subject

Talking about familiarity or understanding

Use knowledge of for information, languages, topics, or facts.

a deep knowledge of history
limited knowledge of the rules
2
knowledge in + field

Talking about expertise in an area

Use knowledge in for professional or academic fields.

advanced knowledge in chemistry
practical knowledge in finance
3
to my knowledge

Expressing what someone knows

To my knowledge introduces information believed to be true.

To my knowledge, nobody complained.
To our knowledge, the data is accurate.
4
with knowledge of + topic

Showing possession of knowledge

Use with knowledge of to describe someone who has expertise.

staff with knowledge of local law
a consultant with knowledge of marketing

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
of knowledge
the limits of knowledge
Of can follow another noun before knowledge.
with knowledge
She acted with knowledge of the risks.
Shows awareness or possession of information.
for knowledge
a search for knowledge
Possible when knowledge is the goal, but not a fixed pair.
to knowledge
To my knowledge, the file was deleted.
Used in set expressions.
in knowledge
knowledge in engineering
Refers to expertise in a field.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using knowledge for a subject

Knowledge of is more natural for subjects and facts.

✕ knowledge in French ✓ knowledge of French

Using for knowledge as a modifier

For knowledge usually expresses purpose or pursuit, not description.

✕ a course for knowledge math ✓ a course on math knowledge

Confusing to my knowledge with in my knowledge

The standard expression is to my knowledge.

✕ In my knowledge, nobody left. ✓ To my knowledge, nobody left.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She has excellent knowledge ___ international law.
2. The engineer has strong knowledge ___ robotics.
3. ___ my knowledge, the meeting starts at noon.

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Frequently asked questions

Do we say knowledge of or knowledge in?

Knowledge of is more common for subjects and facts, while knowledge in often refers to expertise in a field.

What does to my knowledge mean?

It means based on what I know.

Can with knowledge be correct?

Yes. It often means having awareness or expertise, as in staff with knowledge of tax law.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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