Meaning & use
having the know how
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“having the know how” is a form of “have the know-how”.
Meaning
phrasefixed phraseinformal
Possessing the practical knowledge or skill needed to do something.
Grammar: The -ing form of 'have the know-how'. 'Know-how' is an uncountable noun, so no plural: have the know-how, not 'have the know-hows'.
Patterns
- have the know-how to do something
- have the know-how for something
- the know-how
She has the know-how to fix the engine herself.
The company is looking for someone with the know-how to lead the project.
Having the know-how is one thing, but you also need the confidence to use it.
Word forms
| base form | have the know-how |
|---|---|
| third person singular | has the know-how |
| past tense | had the know-how |
| past participle | had the know-how |
| present participle | having the know-how |
Common combinations
- technical know-how
- The job requires technical know-how and attention to detail.
- business know-how
- He brought years of business know-how to the team.
- the know-how to do something
- They have the know-how to build a successful app.
- lack the know-how
- Many small businesses lack the know-how to market themselves online.
Synonyms and how they differ
- expertise
- Expertise is more formal and often suggests deep, specialized knowledge; know-how is more practical and hands-on.
- skill
- Skill can be physical or mental and is countable; know-how is uncountable and focuses on practical ability.
- knowledge
- Knowledge is information you have; know-how is the ability to use that information to do something.
Opposites
Word family
- know-how noun
- The practical knowledge or skill to do something.
- knowing adjective
- Showing that you know something secret or private.
- knowingly adverb
- In a way that shows you are aware of something.
Commonly confused: having the know how or know how?
having the know how vs know how
As two words, 'know how' is a verb phrase meaning 'be able to': I know how to swim. As one hyphenated word, 'know-how' is a noun meaning practical skill.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'know-how' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Know-how' is uncountable, so it does not take 'a' or a plural, and the pattern is 'know-how to do something'. Option 2 uses 'for' with a base verb, which is not grammatical here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “having the know how”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.