as competent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as competent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare someone's level of competence to another person or standard. Example: "She is as competent as her colleagues in handling complex projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both were seen as competent and honest.

The New York Times

No, they're not as competent as bees.

Cornell University

Do we see the prisoners as "competent patients"?

The New Yorker

They are seen as competent but not nice.

The New York Times

Voters perceive her as competent and hardworking, but not warm.

The New Yorker

Were others in the organization as competent and ethical?

Harvard Business Review

Why are American mothers rarely portrayed as competent?

The Washington Post

Tibaldi's architectural work is regarded as competent but unoriginal.

Britannica

The English team was seen as competent, rather than brilliant.

The Economist

These young people are every bit as competent as career waiters in the island's fanciest spots.

The New York Times

I hope we remember you for a thousand years as competent, conventional and safe.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as competent", ensure you are comparing the subject's competence to a specific benchmark or another individual to provide context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "as competent" without a clear comparison. Saying someone is "as competent" implies a comparison, and omitting it leaves the statement vague and less impactful. Always specify what or whom they are as competent as.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as competent" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun by indicating a level of skill or ability equal to a specified standard. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as competent" is a versatile comparative adjective phrase used to indicate an equal level of skill or ability. As highlighted by Ludwig, it’s grammatically correct and very common in various contexts, including news, academia, and science. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to provide a context or comparison when using "as competent". Alternatives such as "equally skilled" or "just as capable" offer similar meanings, allowing for flexibility in expression. Remember to avoid vague usage by always specifying what or whom the subject is "as competent" as, enhancing the impact and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equally competent

Emphasizes the equality in competence between two or more entities.

just as skilled

Focuses on the skill level being comparable.

equally skilled

Similar to 'just as skilled', highlighting skill equivalence.

as capable

Highlights the ability to perform tasks effectively.

just as capable

Similar to 'as capable', emphasizing the parity in capability.

as proficient

Focuses on the level of expertise and advanced skill.

just as proficient

Similar to 'as proficient', but with added emphasis on the equality of proficiency.

comparably adept

Highlights the level of expertise in a more sophisticated manner.

similarly qualified

Focuses on having equivalent qualifications and credentials.

on par

Informal way of indicating equivalence in competence.

FAQs

How can I use "as competent" in a sentence?

Use "as competent" to compare someone's skills to a standard or another person, for example: "She is "as competent" as her colleagues in handling complex projects."

What's a good alternative to "as competent"?

Consider using alternatives like "equally skilled", "just as capable", or "equally competent" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "as competent as" or "equally competent to"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. "As competent as" is used for direct comparisons, while "equally competent to" emphasizes the equivalence in competence for a particular task or role.

Can "as competent" be used to describe inanimate objects?

While primarily used for people, "as competent" can describe systems or tools if they perform tasks with a comparable level of effectiveness, but it's less common. For example: "This software is "as competent" as the leading industry standard for data analysis."