I'm not very good at

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Instead of focusing on the negative, try saying "I'm still learning", "I'm developing my skills in this area", or "I'm better at "my strengths" but I'm willing to improve".

In professional contexts, consider using phrases like "I lack expertise in", "I'm not particularly skilled in", or "This falls outside my area of specialization". Another good option is "I'm not as "proficient in" this as I would like to be."

It's generally best to avoid focusing on weaknesses in a job interview. If asked about a skill you lack, acknowledge it briefly and then immediately pivot to discussing your strengths and willingness to learn. For example, "While I'm not very good at X, I excel at Y and I'm eager to develop my skills in X as well."

Saying "I'm not very good at" is a more polite and nuanced way of admitting a lack of skill. It implies a milder deficiency than simply saying "I'm not good at", which can sound more absolute. It also leaves room for improvement, suggesting that you might have some basic competence but are not yet highly skilled.