a competent description of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a competent description of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a description that is skillful, effective, or adequate in conveying information about a subject. Example: "The report provided a competent description of the project's objectives and outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Another is the identity of the narrator, who apologizes for not delivering a competent description of either the game of piquet or a duel.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Eisenhower plays a competent game of golf.

The New Yorker

Ethnocentrism is a competent indicator of inclinations toward the locally grown alternatives.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

The objectives were based on the definitions of learning objectives given by Mager "An objective is a description of a performance you want learners to be able to exhibit before you consider them competent.

BMC Medical Education

Police have a description of a suspect.

The New York Times

This is a good description of Sontag.

The New Yorker

A quantitative description of diffusion follows.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Not a bad description of New York.

The New York Times

Gives a thorough description of the club.

The New Yorker

A brief description of the man.

Huffington Post

A detailed description of the method follows.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a competent description of" when you want to convey that a description is adequate and fulfills its purpose effectively. It's suitable when the quality of the description is sufficient but not necessarily exceptional.

Common error

Avoid using "competent" as a generic adjective for all descriptions. Instead, consider whether a more specific adjective like "thorough", "detailed", or "clear" would better reflect the actual quality of the description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a competent description of" functions as a noun phrase, where "competent" modifies "description," indicating the quality of the description. As Ludwig AI confirms, it implies that the description is adequate or satisfactory. The phrase is used to describe the quality of the description itself.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a competent description of" is a phrase used to indicate that a description is adequate or satisfactory, though perhaps not exceptional. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms the phrase's correctness and usability, though examples of its use are relatively rare. This phrase is suitable across multiple contexts, including news, science, and general writing, with alternatives like "a proficient account of" or "an adequate portrayal of" offering similar meanings. When using this phrase, consider whether more specific adjectives might better convey the intended quality of the description. Ensure that context is appropriate for the level of detail or completeness you wish to communicate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a proficient account of

Replaces "competent" with "proficient", suggesting expertise in the description.

an adequate portrayal of

Substitutes "description" with "portrayal", implying a representation or depiction.

a skillful explanation of

Replaces "description" with "explanation", focusing on clarity and understanding.

a comprehensive overview of

Changes "description" to "overview", suggesting a broad and thorough summary.

an effective characterization of

Replaces "description" with "characterization", implying the highlighting of features or qualities.

a well-articulated summary of

Highlights the clarity and fluency of the summary, differing from the general competence of a description.

a detailed exposition on

Shifts the focus to a thorough and systematic presentation of information.

a precise rendering of

Emphasizes accuracy and exactness in the depiction.

a satisfactory elucidation of

Replaces "description" with "elucidation", suggesting a clarifying explanation.

a passable summary of

Emphasizes the bare minimum requirement to be correct about a summary.

FAQs

How can I use "a competent description of" in a sentence?

You can use "a competent description of" to indicate that something is described adequately, though perhaps not exceptionally. For example: "The manual provided "a competent description of" the assembly process".

What are some alternatives to "a competent description of"?

Alternatives include "a proficient account of", "an adequate portrayal of", or "a skillful explanation of depending on the context".

Is it better to say "a competent description of" or "a comprehensive description of"?

The choice depends on the context. "A competent description" suggests adequacy, while "a comprehensive description" implies thoroughness. If you want to emphasize completeness, use "a comprehensive description of".

What's the difference between "a competent description of" and "a detailed description of"?

"A competent description of" means the description meets the required standards of quality. On the other hand, "a detailed description of" highlights the level of detail provided. A description can be competent without being exceptionally detailed, and vice versa.