a competent ability to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a competent ability to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone's skill or proficiency in a particular area or task. Example: "She has a competent ability to analyze complex data sets and draw meaningful conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The rise and rise of Ribery, an attacking midfielder, has been mirrored by the competent ability of the Bayern player's ability to overcome a string of injuries that had until now come to define the his time at the German club.

The New York Times

Rainbow trout fibroblasts were found to be highly immune competent with a significant ability to express cytokines and immune receptors.

Plosone

RNase A alone can inhibit and kill cancerous cells with a final CI value very close to zero (Figure 6b), and RNase A@C-dots also show competent ability in killing cancer cells with a CI value of around 0.2 compared to 1.8 of cells alone.

Nanoscale Research Letters

The medical diploma qualifies the graduate as a competent physician with the ability to practice medicine as a general practitioner anywhere in Saudi Arabia.

BMC Medical Education

If you can't wait, TextAloud MP3 is a competent little talker whose ability to read aloud any open document makes it especially attractive.

The New York Times - Tech

In addition the worker is barred from discussing the types and concentrations of chemicals and radioactive substances to which he or she is exposed, thereby limiting the ability of a competent physician to prepare an opinion on the causation between effects of exposure and disease.

Environmental Health Perspectives

While an adolescent's ability to make competent decisions does vary from person to person, this evidence compels a deeper look into the option of independent consent for school-based research with adolescents aged from 12 years, particularly if procedures are in place for research staff to gauge the subjects' levels of understanding.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

Those who were more experienced or who felt more competent appreciated their ability to make a difference and recognised the subtleties in patients' improvements.

Age and Ageing

They did however feel relatively more competent in their ability to plan (4.14), manage themselves (4.04) and lead (4.02) whilst feeling least competent in the specific health care skills (3.44).

Human Resources for Health

Both groups felt generally competent in their ability to manage various aspects of cancer pain therapy.

Journal of Pain and Symptom Management

Furthermore, I would also suggest that leaders should be confident and competent in their ability to step up in times of crises and think clearly and calmly to address difficult situations.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's skillset, follow "a competent ability to" with a specific action or area of expertise to provide context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a competent ability to" when the skill level is still developing or basic. It's more appropriate for situations where a solid, reliable level of skill has been achieved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a competent ability to" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a noun and preposition, modifying a verb or noun phrase to describe someone's capacity and skill. It emphasizes the reliable skill level of an individual or entity, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a competent ability to" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe someone's reliable skillset, as validated by Ludwig AI. Though examples are missing, it is suitable for professional and academic contexts where precise descriptions of skills are necessary. It is advisable to follow this phrase with a specific action or area of expertise to give context. Alternative expressions such as "a proficient capability to" or "a skilled capacity for" can provide similar meanings with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a proficient capability to

Replaces "competent" with "proficient" and "ability" with "capability", emphasizing skill and expertise.

an adept aptitude for

Uses "adept" and "aptitude" to highlight natural skill and inclination.

a skilled capacity for

Emphasizes the skill level associated with the ability.

a capable potential for

Focuses on the potential to be competent, rather than current competence.

an efficient talent for

Highlights efficiency and natural talent in performing the action.

a mastery of

Indicates a high level of skill and control.

a knack for

Suggests a natural and easy ability.

a facility with

Implies ease and fluency in performing the task.

an expertise in

Focuses on specialized knowledge and skill.

a readiness for

Highlights preparedness and willingness to perform the action competently.

FAQs

How can I use "a competent ability to" in a sentence?

Use "a competent ability to" to describe someone's solid skillset for an action or area of expertise. For example: "She has a competent ability to manage complex projects."

What are some alternatives to "a competent ability to"?

Consider alternatives like "a proficient capability to", "an adept aptitude for", or "a skilled capacity for" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "ability" after "competent"?

While some may find it slightly redundant, the phrase "a competent ability to" emphasizes both skill and capacity. The perceived redundancy can depend on context and desired emphasis.

When is it best to use "a competent ability to" over simpler phrases?

Use "a competent ability to" when you want to specifically highlight both the capability and the skill level involved. Simpler phrases might be more appropriate in informal contexts where conciseness is preferred.