at a proficient level

USAGE SUMMARY

"at a proficient level" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when referring to someone's level of knowledge, skill, or ability in a certain field. For example, "Tim speaks Spanish at a proficient level."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Similarly, 28.3percentt of them read at a proficient level, compared with 68.4percentt statewide.

The New York Times

But they would not face penalties if scores did not rise consistently every year, provided certain percentages of each group, including blacks, Latinos and the poor, performed at a proficient level.

The New York Times

Even worse, the results show that less than half of the nation's students are performing at a proficient level in either math or reading as judged by the federal rating system, indicating that the country is not moving swiftly enough toward its goal of preparing students for work in a global economy.

The New York Times

The study found that only 24percentt of high schools seniors in the U.S. can write at a proficient level and only 3percentt at an advanced level.

TechCrunch

We estimate there are anywhere from 6 million to 10 million secondary students who are not performing at a proficient level.

Forbes

Overall, only 25percentt of students performed at a proficient level or above in math in their year before graduation.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

However, the recent National Assessment of Educational Programs report found that nationally only 32% of U. S. eighth grade students were performing at or above a proficient level in science, and only 2% were performing at the advanced level.

Huffington Post

However, by the time they reach middle school, only 32% are at or above a proficient level in math, according to the 2007 Nation's Report Card by National Assessment of Educational Progress, and they fall behind internationally.

Forbes

Ohio's accountability program expected each school to get 75percentt of its students to a proficient level.

The New York Times

Consider learning the language to a proficient level before leaving your own country.

WikiHow

A 2013 National Assessment of Education Progress test found that 65percentt of fourth graders read at a "below proficient" level.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's abilities, combine "at a proficient level" with specific skills to provide context. For example, "She codes at a proficient level in Python."

Common error

Do not use "at a proficient level" without specifying the area of proficiency. Saying someone is "at a proficient level" without context lacks meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a proficient level" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It describes the manner or degree to which an action is performed, indicating a satisfactory or competent standard. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at a proficient level" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes someone's competence or skill in a specific area. While not exceedingly common, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, as well as in scientific and professional discourse. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and typical usage. To use it effectively, always specify the area of proficiency and avoid vague statements. Consider alternatives like "competent", "skilled", or "adept" for variety. By following these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately convey levels of skill and expertise in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demonstrating proficiency

Focuses on the act of demonstrating proficiency rather than the level itself.

exhibiting competence

Highlights displaying competence, a similar concept to proficiency.

at a competent standard

Replaces "proficient" with "competent" and "level" with "standard", emphasizing adequacy.

operating at a high caliber

Uses "caliber" to suggest the quality of performance, synonymous with proficiency.

at a skilled degree

Substitutes "proficient" with "skilled" and "level" with "degree", highlighting expertise.

performing adeptly

Highlights skillful performance, focusing on the manner of execution.

at a mastery stage

Uses "mastery" instead of "proficient", indicating a high level of competence.

at a capable stage

Replaces "proficient" with "capable", suggesting basic competence.

with considerable expertise

Emphasizes the possession of expertise rather than a specific level.

possessing adequate skill

Highlights the possession of sufficient skill to perform a task.

FAQs

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

Use "at a proficient level" to describe someone's skill or ability in a particular area. For example, "He speaks French "at a proficient level"" indicates he has a good command of the language.

What are some alternatives to saying "at a proficient level"?

Alternatives include "competent", "skilled", or "adept". Depending on the context, you might also use phrases like "with considerable expertise" or "demonstrating proficiency".

Is it correct to say someone is "at a proficient level" in general, or should I specify the skill?

It's better to specify the skill. Saying someone is "at a proficient level" without specifying what they are proficient in is vague and less informative.

What does it mean to perform "at a proficient level" on a standardized test?

It generally means the test-taker has demonstrated competency over challenging subject matter and met a certain benchmark set by the test administrators.