a highly competent man

USAGE SUMMARY

"a highly competent man" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who possesses a high level of skill or ability in a particular area. For example, "He was recognized as a highly competent man in his field." Alternative expressions include "an exceptionally skilled man" and "a very capable man."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"He is a highly competent man.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Man, what a highly competent and inspiring generation of young men and women we have over there — the next Best Generation.

The New York Times

To the outside world, Mr. Alonzo was a highly competent professional with some social awkwardness.

The New York Times - Health

A veteran of the women's game, she is a highly competent and qualified coach.

The Guardian - Sport

"He was a highly competent and professional police officer," said Murphy.

The Guardian

Welles proved to be a highly competent administrator and a surprisingly keen military strategist.

Britannica

Thanks to a highly competent government, the country barely suffered during the Great Recession.

The Washington Post

On the contrary, it is a highly competent, smartly engineered delivery system for the very clichés it pretends to subvert.

The New York Times

The country's first female president is renowned as a highly competent technocrat and vociferous reader.

The Guardian

It has a highly competent electoral commission, whose independence is respected by all Ghana's politicians.

The Economist

Ms. Ross is a highly competent person until things don't go exactly as she expects.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: while "man" is common in historical or narrative writing, using "professional" or "individual" can improve inclusivity in modern corporate settings.

Common error

Do not pair "highly" with other similar adverbs like "very highly" or "extremely highly". The word "highly" is already a strong intensifier; adding more makes the sentence clunky and reduces the impact of the description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a highly competent man" functions as a complex noun phrase where the head noun 'man' is modified by an adjectival phrase 'highly competent'. According to Ludwig, this structure is used to assign a specific, high-value attribute to a subject. The use of the adverb 'highly' as an intensifier for 'competent' elevates the descriptor from a standard quality to an exceptional one.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a highly competent man" is a grammatically correct and sophisticated way to describe someone with a high level of expertise. While Ludwig AI identifies it as relatively rare in terms of exact matches, the component parts and variations (like 'highly competent professional' or 'highly competent woman') appear frequently in high-authority publications. It is most at home in News & Media and Academia, where it serves as a robust endorsement of character and skill. Writers should be aware of the intensity provided by the word 'highly' and consider gender-neutral alternatives like "highly competent professional" when the context requires broader inclusivity. Overall, it remains a powerful tool for formal evaluation and professional descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an exceptionally skilled man

Increases the intensity of the descriptive adjective to suggest mastery.

a remarkably competent man

Uses a different intensive adverb to highlight the noteworthy nature of his skills.

a very capable man

Provides a slightly softer alternative while remaining highly positive.

a highly proficient man

Focuses specifically on technical proficiency and execution.

a highly skilled individual

A gender-neutral alternative more suitable for formal or HR contexts.

a highly qualified man

Shifts the focus from inherent competence to formal training and credentials.

an extremely adept man

Emphasizes natural agility and skill in handling complex tasks.

a highly effective man

Focuses on the results achieved by the person's competence.

a highly talented man

Emphasizes natural ability over learned competence or skill.

a truly expert man

Highlights the person as an authority or specialist in their field.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "a highly competent man"?

You can use alternatives like "an exceptionally skilled man", "a highly proficient professional" or "an extremely adept man" depending on the context.

Is "a highly competent man" appropriate for a resume?

While correct, it is often more effective to use more specific descriptors or results-oriented language. However, it can be used in a summary section or a recommendation letter to provide a high-level characterization.

How to use "a highly competent man" in a sentence?

A typical example would be: "The board recognized him as "a highly competent man" who could lead the company through the transition."

What is the difference between "highly competent" and "very capable"?

"Highly competent" suggests a formal mastery of skills and professional standards, whereas "very capable" often refers to a more general ability to handle tasks and challenges.