a very competent man

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very competent man" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is highly skilled or capable in a particular area or profession. Example: "In his role as a project manager, he proved to be a very competent man, successfully leading the team through multiple challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I think he's a very competent man.

The New York Times

"He was a very competent man, and he knew exactly what he was doing," Mr. Hopson said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Across the street lives Stan Beeman, a very competent FBI agent and a very sad man (an impeccably subtle performance by Noah Emmerich on a show filled with subtle performances).

Vice

The head of my department was a very nice man before lunch; I was a very competent employee before lunch.

The New York Times - Books

"But Related is a very competent firm".

The New York Times

She was clearly a very competent designer".

The New York Times - Arts

"He's a very competent doctor".

The New York Times

"Despite his limited education Comer became a very competent collector.

The New York Times

NASA, he said, "did a very competent job".

The New York Times

Unsurprisingly he was also a very competent typist.

The Guardian

Australasia offers a very competent take on this style, at quite steep, London-like prices.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "a very competent man", provide specific examples of their competence to strengthen your statement.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that someone is "a very competent man" without providing evidence or examples to support your claim. This can make your statement seem generic and unconvincing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very competent man" functions as a descriptive phrase, specifically an adjectival phrase modifying the noun "man". It serves to attribute a quality of competence to the individual being described. Ludwig AI confirms this through its examples of usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a very competent man" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a male individual possessing significant skills and abilities. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples from diverse sources, predominantly from news and media outlets. While the phrase is generally neutral, it's crucial to provide specific examples or supporting evidence to substantiate the claim of competence. Alternatives such as ""a highly skilled man"" or ""a capable man"" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a highly skilled man

Replaces 'competent' with 'skilled', emphasizing expertise.

a capable man

Uses a more general term for ability.

an accomplished man

Highlights achievements and completed tasks.

a proficient man

Focuses on skill in a specific area.

an effective man

Emphasizes the ability to produce results.

a masterful man

Implies a high level of control and expertise.

a talented man

Suggests innate ability.

an experienced man

Highlights competence gained from practical knowledge.

a knowledgeable man

Focuses on the man's breadth of understanding.

a resourceful man

Emphasizes the man's ability to find solutions to problems.

FAQs

How can I use "a very competent man" in a sentence?

You can use "a very competent man" to describe someone with significant skills and abilities. For example, "He is "a very competent man" and consistently delivers high-quality work."

What are some alternatives to saying "a very competent man"?

Alternatives include "a highly skilled man", "a capable man", or "an accomplished man", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to describe a woman as "a very competent man"?

No, it is generally not appropriate. It's better to use "a very competent woman" or another gender-neutral term like "a very competent person".

What distinguishes "a very competent man" from "a competent man"?

The addition of "very" intensifies the degree of competence. Saying someone is "a very competent man" implies a higher level of skill and ability compared to simply being "a competent man".