always been competent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "always been competent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's consistent ability or skill level over time. Example: "Throughout her career, she has always been competent in her role, earning the respect of her colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Two of the three rivals are above us in the rankings and have always been competent at the first level.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"While US Airways' frequent-flier program has always been a competent follower," Mr. Peterson said, "it has never been a leader.

The New York Times

"I always had a pencil in my hand and had always been a competent artist and used to do covers for the university rag magazine," he told The Aberdeen Press and Journal.

The New York Times

He has always been independent and competent, but then again, so was his sister.

The New York Times

Another psychiatrist, Dr. Noel C. Gardner, testified that although he had always thought Mr. Mitchell was competent to stand trial, his opinion had evolved since the first state competency hearings.

The New York Times

"I hope the whole house will welcome the fact that they now say, in their new advice: always consider whether there are competent workers available locally.

The Guardian

Lack of information in community languages and insufficient access to interpreters when needed were also commonly reported and a few studies noted that even when interpreters were available, women did not always feel that they were competent [ 25, 45, 47].

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

This can be interpreted as follows: adaptive and proficient health workers are highly likely to be competent but this may not always hold since competent health workers may not always be adaptive.

Human Resources for Health

You're encouraged to only start fighting once you're competent, but a stray blow can always cause damage.

The Guardian - Money

Waiver of the informed consent is a rare occurrence, which must always be provided by the competent ethics committee (EC).

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

One, because he was competent.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "always been competent" to emphasize a consistent level of skill or ability over a period of time, particularly when contrasting it with a previous state or comparing it to others.

Common error

Avoid using "always been competent" excessively in your writing, as it can become repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "consistently skilled" or "perpetually capable" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "always been competent" functions as an adjective phrase within a sentence, typically describing a person's consistent ability or skill level over time. As Ludwig highlights, this usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "always been competent" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe consistent competence over time. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is acceptable in written English. While not exceptionally frequent, it appears in various contexts, particularly in news and media. Alternatives like "consistently been capable" or "invariably been proficient" can provide stylistic variation. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects a continuous trait and avoid overuse to maintain clarity and engagement in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consistently been capable

This alternative uses "capable" instead of "competent", emphasizing the inherent ability to perform well, and "consistently" to highlight the continuing nature of this capability.

invariably been proficient

Using "proficient" suggests a high degree of skill and expertise that has been a constant attribute.

habitually been skilled

This highlights that being skilled is a habitual trait, something done regularly and naturally.

perpetually been adept

The word "adept" implies a knack or natural talent that is continually present.

enduringly been qualified

"Qualified" suggests the individual has met all the necessary requirements and continues to do so.

persistently been effective

Focuses on the continuous effectiveness of the person's actions and contributions.

uniformly been masterful

"Masterful" implies exceptional skill and control, maintained consistently.

regularly been accomplished

Highlights the recurrent and habitual nature of being accomplished.

steadfastly been apt

"Apt" emphasizes a natural inclination and suitability, which has been unwavering.

unfailingly been equal to the task

This phrase emphasizes the reliability and dependability of someone always meeting expectations.

FAQs

How can I use "always been competent" in a sentence?

You can use "always been competent" to describe someone's consistent ability or skill level. For example, "She has "always been competent" in her role, earning the respect of her colleagues."

What are some alternatives to "always been competent"?

Alternatives include "consistently been capable", "invariably been proficient", or "habitually been skilled" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "always been competent"?

Yes, "always been competent" is grammatically correct. It uses the adverb "always" to modify the past participle "been", which is part of the present perfect construction.

What is the difference between "always been competent" and "has always been competent"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning, "has "always been competent"" is a more complete and formal way of expressing the idea, explicitly including the auxiliary verb "has". The shortened version is more casual but equally understandable.