Excel at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Excel at" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a high level of skill or proficiency in a particular area or activity. Example: "She excels at mathematics, consistently achieving top scores in her class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The P3s excel at both.

Independent

New Yorkers excel at Schadenfreude.

The New Yorker

The Italians excel at hospitality.

The New York Times

Some people excel at spontaneity.

The New York Times - Health

Germany excel at common sense.

The Guardian - Sport

Many think he could excel at politics.

Independent

My generation happens to excel at waiting.

The New York Times

But no institution can excel at both.

The New Yorker

Jama did not excel at school.

The New Yorker

I enjoy and excel at public speaking.

The New York Times

Innovators excel at connecting seemingly unconnected things.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "excel at", clearly specify the area or skill in which someone excels to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, "She excels at data analysis" is more effective than simply saying "She excels."

Common error

Avoid using "excel at" without specifying the specific domain or skill. Saying someone excels without context can be vague and uninformative. Always follow "excel at" with a noun or gerund that clarifies the area of expertise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Excel at" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a high degree of competence or skill in a particular activity or area. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts, such as "The P3s excel at both" and "Humans already excel at those tasks". It specifies the domain where someone or something demonstrates superior performance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Excel at" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe a high level of proficiency in a specific area or skill. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's versatile, appearing in numerous contexts from news articles to scientific publications. To use it effectively, always specify the skill or area in which someone excels. While alternatives like "be proficient in" and "thrive in" exist, "excel at" distinctly emphasizes exceptional performance and mastery. Its frequent use across various reputable sources solidifies its reliability and usefulness in both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Be proficient in

Focuses on competence and skill level.

Be skilled at

Highlights expertise and developed ability.

Be outstanding in

Highlights exceptional qualities and performance.

Be adept at

Emphasizes natural talent and quickness.

Shine at

Implies standing out and performing exceptionally well.

Thrive in

Suggests flourishing and growing in a specific context.

Outperform in

Focuses on exceeding others' performance.

Surpass in

Implies exceeding expectations or previous limits.

Master

Indicates a high level of control and understanding.

Dominate in

Suggests a commanding or controlling presence.

FAQs

How can I use "Excel at" in a sentence?

Use "excel at" to describe someone's high proficiency or skill in a particular area. For example, "She "excels at" public speaking", or "He "excels at" problem-solving".

What are some alternatives to "Excel at"?

You can use alternatives such as "be proficient in", "be skilled at", or "thrive in" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "Excel at" or "Excel in"?

"Excel at" is generally preferred and more common when referring to a specific skill or activity. "Excel in" is also correct, but less frequent and often used in more general contexts.

What's the difference between "Excel at" and "Succeed in"?

"Excel at" implies a higher level of skill and accomplishment compared to "succeed in". While succeeding means achieving a goal, excelling suggests exceptional performance and mastery.