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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
I am not well versed
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The sentence "I am not well versed" is grammatically correct and it can be used in written English
You can use it when you want to express that you do not possess a lot of knowledge or skill in a certain area. For example: "I am not well versed in the world of investing, so I’ve decided to hire a financial advisor."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Academia
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
2 human-written examples
I am not well versed in classical music; had I not heard the announcer, I would have guessed it was something contemporary — even composed this very day.
News & Media
That being said, when I shop for tech items I generally go to the same few sites, either to confirm the choice I reached on my own or to help guide me to a choice if I am not well versed in the category.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
58 human-written examples
"I'm not well versed in the stock market," she said.
News & Media
MICHAEL PERRONE: So I believe, and I'm not well versed in all of the processors that are out there.
The engineers at In Demand deduced that I was not well versed in 3-D viewing and gave me a primer by screening a few of their more action-packed videos.
News & Media
And while I've read modern-day adventures of Thunderbolt, and knew his real name was Peter Cannon, I was not well versed in his back story: he was the son of two Western relief workers who worked and died in Tibet while battling a plague.
News & Media
But because I had assumed my pregnancy would be normal, I was not well versed in the facts, or the unpredictable nature, of obstetrics -- a field in which one of the two patients is separated from the doctor by a wall of flesh and blood.
News & Media
I think about those things, but I'm not well versed at articulating them in anything besides film making itself.
News & Media
I don't consider myself an educator, though, in that I'm not well versed in educational philosophy, so I'm not sure it's a good fit for our family, and for me in particular.
News & Media
I remember her way of putting it, warning me: "He's a heavy piece of furniture". I was somewhat insecure about the idea of meeting him since I wasn't well versed in his work, but, of course, I called him to make an appointment, saying I'd like to come to his apartment in the Upper East Side to introduce myself.
News & Media
"I am not well-versed with law … That is why the defence, from the husband or whatever, they try to find something weak in our statement.
Science
Expert writing Tips
✓ Best practice
When using "i am not well versed", be specific about the area where your knowledge is lacking to provide clarity and context to your audience.
⚠ Common error
Avoid using "i am not well versed" as a dismissive statement. Instead, frame it as an admission of your current knowledge level and a willingness to learn or seek assistance. This prevents the phrase from sounding arrogant or uninterested.
Linguistic Context
The phrase "i am not well versed" functions as a declarative statement expressing a lack of proficiency or deep knowledge in a specific area. It's a polite and straightforward way to admit one's limitations. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.
Expression frequency: Rare
✓ Frequent in
News & Media
40%
Academia
30%
Science
30%
⚠ Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "i am not well versed" is a grammatically correct and useful phrase for expressing a lack of knowledge or skill in a particular area. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts, although it appears most frequently in news media, academic, and scientific discussions. When using the phrase, be specific about the area of unfamiliarity and avoid any dismissive tones. Alternatives such as "i'm not familiar with" or "i lack expertise in" can provide nuanced ways to convey a similar meaning.
Alternative expressions
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
i'm unversed in
A more direct synonym, simply omitting "well" from the original phrase.
i'm not familiar with
Uses 'familiar' instead of 'well versed', implying a lack of acquaintance.
i'm not acquainted with
Replaces 'well versed' with 'acquainted', suggesting a lack of personal knowledge.
i lack expertise in
Emphasizes a deficiency in specialized skills or knowledge.
i'm not knowledgeable about
Uses 'knowledgeable' to convey a lack of information on a topic.
i'm not skilled in
Focuses on a lack of practical ability or proficiency.
More alternative expressions(1)
FAQs
How can I use "i am not well versed" in a sentence?
You can use "i am not well versed" to indicate a lack of knowledge or experience in a particular subject. For example, "I am not well versed in astrophysics, so I can't comment on the latest research."
What are some alternatives to saying "i am not well versed"?
Alternatives include "i'm not familiar with", "i lack expertise in", or "i'm not knowledgeable about", depending on the specific context.
Is it grammatically correct to say "i am not well versed"?
Yes, "i am not well versed" is grammatically correct. It is a common and accepted way to express a lack of proficiency or knowledge in something.
What's the difference between "i am not well versed" and "i am not an expert"?
"I am not well versed" implies a general lack of knowledge, while "I am not an expert" suggests a lack of specialized skill or mastery. You might use "i am not well versed" when you're unfamiliar with a topic, and "I am not an expert" when you lack professional-level skills.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested