at a professional level

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a professional level" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the quality or standard of work, skills, or performance that meets professional expectations. Example: "She has the skills to perform at a professional level in her field of expertise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One doesn't just wake up playing sport at a professional level.

The Guardian

Today, commentators tend to have played the sports they're commentating on at a professional level.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In addition to being one of the world's leading mathematicians, Bhargava is an accomplished musician; he plays the Indian instrument known as the tabla at a professional level.

The Guardian

As well as social media, there was also a significant increase in incidents involving players, managers and staff at a professional level, with 13 being reported.

The Guardian - Sport

In other words, the tournament is often as close as college players get to experiencing the game at a professional level.

The Guardian - Sport

"And although that is at a professional level, it's not because of some great research insight I had or even a not-so-great research insight I had.

The New York Times - Tech

Campers ages 12 to 16 can focus at a professional level on any of the arts, including sculpture, music, glass blowing, airbrush painting or ballet.

The New York Times

"If … you're playing several hours a day, you're pretty much gonna be at the same skill level as most people playing the game at a professional level.

The Guardian - Tech

Admittedly, my perspective is heavily coloured by events in the world of chess, a game I once played at a professional level and still follow from a distance.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many advanced self-taught programmers have trouble breaking into the industry at a professional level because they aren't used to solving problems as part of team.

The Guardian

For enthusiasts like Bytheway, who has been playing the football game at a professional level since the age of 17, a potential fortune lies ahead.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing skills, use "at a professional level" to convey that the skills are suitable for employment or advanced practice. For example, "She can code at a professional level."

Common error

Avoid using "at a professional level" in casual conversation; it's generally reserved for more formal settings or when discussing specific qualifications or skills. Using it too often can sound pretentious or overly formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a professional level" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverbial phrase. It describes the extent or quality of an action or state, indicating it meets the standards expected in a professional setting. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

13%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

HuffPost

2%

Forbes

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at a professional level" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to indicate a standard of skill or expertise suitable for professional contexts. It is most commonly found in News & Media, Academia, and Wiki sources. Related phrases such as "to a professional standard" offer alternative ways to express the same idea. When using this phrase, be mindful to reserve it for appropriate formal contexts to avoid sounding pretentious. Overall, understanding the function and context of "at a professional level" will enhance your writing and communication skills.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on a professional plane

Focuses on the standard or quality of performance in a professional context.

to a professional standard

Emphasizes meeting established criteria and expectations in a field.

with professional expertise

Highlights the skill and knowledge applied when undertaking a task.

in a qualified capacity

Indicates acting with the necessary skills and authority within a role.

at a high caliber

Suggests performance or skill that is excellent and of superior quality.

in a competent manner

Highlights performing tasks efficiently and effectively.

with due diligence

Stresses careful and thorough execution of duties.

to an industry benchmark

Refers to performing at a level that is competitive and aligned with standards.

with mastery

Emphasizes exceptional skill and deep understanding.

in a specialized way

Indicates a focus on niche expertise and professional skills.

FAQs

How can I use "at a professional level" in a sentence?

You can use "at a professional level" to describe someone's proficiency or skill in a particular field. For example, "He plays chess "at a professional level"" or "She writes code "at a professional level"".

What are some alternatives to "at a professional level"?

Some alternatives include "to a professional standard", "with professional expertise", or "in a qualified capacity", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say someone performs "on" or "at" a professional level?

While one might perform "on" a team, performing at a certain level is preferred. Therefore, "at a professional level" is the correct phrasing. "On a professional level" often refers to ethics or conduct rather than skill.

What is the difference between playing a sport as a hobby versus "at a professional level"?

Playing a sport as a hobby is for leisure and enjoyment, whereas playing "at a professional level" involves significant training, commitment, and competition with the goal of earning income or recognition.