adept at speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "adept at speaking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is skilled or proficient in verbal communication. Example: "She is adept at speaking in public, captivating her audience with every word."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Mr. Williams is adept at speaking to millions in real time.

The New York Times

People with something to hide are adept at speaking in codes.

The New York Times

Gingrich is still adept at speaking, off the top of his head, in a hyper-vivid, sloganeering style.

The New Yorker

As Sameh, Ali's sister, Anitha Gandhi is a steady narrator, adept at speaking with her eyes as well as with her words.

The New York Times

It is this disgruntlement that Mr Farage, almost alone in his party of, to be fair, quite a few nutters and fruitcakes, has proved most adept at speaking to.

The Economist

Officers from the Police Department's hostage negotiation unit, who are adept at speaking with emotionally disturbed people, arrived, as did officers from the elite Emergency Service Unit, who are also trained in sensitive tactical situations.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

A good solicitor will be articulate and adept at public speaking.

The Guardian

A diplomat adept at strategy-speak is elevated to the unofficial rank of diplomatist.

The New York Times - Magazine

Salmond is adept at Burns-speak, and liable to introduce echoes of the national bard into the most prosaic of policy announcements.

The Guardian - Books

In countless interviews with the ratings-fueled sports media, he offers no specifics on how he will improve the team beyond a few generalities because he is adept at empty coach-speak.

The Guardian - Sport

Sebald is generously adept at making these wounds speak.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "adept at speaking" to describe someone with a natural talent or learned skill in effectively conveying messages verbally. It suggests both competence and a degree of finesse.

Common error

Avoid using "adept at speaking" when simpler terms like "good at speaking" or "skilled speaker" suffice, as overuse can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose or pretentious. Reserve it for contexts where you want to emphasize a particularly high level of skill or natural talent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adept at speaking" functions as an adjective phrase describing someone's ability or skill in verbal communication. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts to highlight proficiency. It acts as a descriptive element, providing additional information about the subject's capabilities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

7%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "adept at speaking" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe someone who is highly skilled in verbal communication. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most commonly found in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral to professional register. While not as frequent as simpler alternatives like "skilled speaker", it effectively conveys a sense of proficiency and finesse. When choosing between "adept at" and similar phrases, consider the level of formality and the specific nuance you wish to convey, bearing in mind that it's a bit more elegant than just being "good at speaking".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skilled at speaking

Focuses on skill level; directly replaces "adept" with "skilled".

proficient in speaking

Emphasizes proficiency as a measure of competence in speaking.

accomplished in speaking

Highlights the achievement and expertise in speaking.

expert at verbal communication

Replaces "speaking" with the broader term "verbal communication" and uses "expert" instead of "adept".

masterful in oratory

Uses "oratory" to specify formal speaking and "masterful" to show high skill.

talented at public speaking

Specifically refers to "public speaking" contexts, denoting natural talent.

gifted at articulation

Emphasizes the natural gift for clear and effective articulation.

competent in oral presentations

Focuses on competence within the specific context of "oral presentations".

effective communicator

Shifts the focus to overall communication effectiveness rather than just speaking ability.

eloquent speaker

Describes someone who speaks with grace and persuasiveness; changes structure from prepositional to adjectival.

FAQs

How can I use "adept at speaking" in a sentence?

You can use "adept at speaking" to describe someone who is skilled in verbal communication. For example, "The negotiator was "adept at speaking", successfully mediating between the parties involved".

What are some alternatives to "adept at speaking"?

Alternatives include "skilled at speaking", "proficient in speaking", or "expert at verbal communication", each offering a slightly different nuance depending on the context.

Is it better to say "adept at speaking" or "adept in speaking"?

"Adept at speaking" is the more common and natural phrasing. While "adept in speaking" isn't grammatically incorrect, it's less frequently used.

What distinguishes "adept at speaking" from "good at speaking"?

"Adept at speaking" implies a higher degree of skill and finesse than simply being "good at speaking". It suggests not just competence, but also a certain level of mastery or natural talent.