Tell me more ×
English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 5 down vote favorite

Is there any difference between these two?

Do (suppose) technical knowledge and technical know-how convey different meaning?

share|improve this question

2 Answers

up vote 5 down vote accepted

"Knowledge" is the acquaintance with the facts and information. You know it, in your head.

"Know-how" is the knowledge of how to do something. In other words, "know-how" is the ability to perform a task or action.

share|improve this answer
I agree: in other words theory and practice. – nico Jul 13 '11 at 10:11
In some (but definitely not all) areas know-how also requires knowledge. – Joachim Sauer Jul 13 '11 at 11:13
I would rather say: knowledge is plain theory and know-how is the theory you need to do something in practice. – Nappy Jul 13 '11 at 12:34
up vote 0 down vote

I think the terms knowledge and know-how are very similar. The only two small differences I can think of are perhaps that know-how is a bit less formal than knowledge, and that know-how may place a little more emphasis on knowledge of how to do something practical/physical, as opposed to knowledge being potentially more abstract. That said, you can certainly have knowledge about how to do practical/physical tasks.

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.