be competent about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be competent about" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when discussing someone's knowledge or skills regarding a specific subject, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "To succeed in this role, you need to be competent about the latest industry trends."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The question is, what would an extremist in the White House be competent about?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

My career as a psychologist and a writer has been built on my belief that parenting is less about having "happy" children indefinitely tethered to us and more about preparing them to be independent, to be competent and enthusiastic about moving into meaningful adult lives.

The New York Times

According to Mackintosh, informed consent "requires that subjects be competent to make a decision about their image, are adequately informed about its use, comprehend what is being communicated, and give voluntary consent to having their picture taken and its subsequent use" [ 6].

BMC Medical Ethics

I will never be "competent".

TechCrunch

"They will be competent.

Los Angeles Times

"You have to be competent.

Huffington Post

Be competent.

WikiHow

It's about being competent and accountable".

The New York Times

It's not just about being competent and running the business efficiently, and with vision.

The Guardian - Opinion

Only 37 percent of overweight doctors strongly believed that they were competent even to offer advice about eating and exercise, compared with 53 percent of normal-weight physicians.

The New York Times - Health

As with the economy, Americans have grown uncertain and fearful about the spill's environmental and economic impact, and even more skeptical that government is competent enough to do anything about it -- a sentiment that, more broadly, is roiling this midterm election year and threatening Democratic majorities in Congress.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and impact, favor stronger, more common alternatives like "be knowledgeable about" or "have expertise in" over the less common "be competent about".

Common error

Avoid relying heavily on "be competent about" in professional contexts. Overuse can make your writing sound stilted. Instead, use alternatives that clearly highlight specific skills or knowledge areas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be competent about" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, describing someone's capability or skill in relation to a specific subject or area. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is not very common, and thus it is not always the first choice in professional writing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be competent about" is a grammatically acceptable but relatively rare phrase used to describe someone's skill or knowledge in a particular area. While correct, Ludwig AI suggests that it is less common than alternatives like "be knowledgeable about" or "have expertise in", which are often preferred for their clarity and impact. Its usage spans various contexts, including news media, science, and general knowledge, but it's essential to use it judiciously, favoring more common alternatives in formal writing to avoid sounding stilted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have expertise in

Focuses on possessing a high level of skill or knowledge in a specific field.

be skilled at

Highlights proficiency in performing a task or activity.

be knowledgeable about

Emphasizes possessing information and understanding of a topic.

be proficient in

Indicates a high degree of competence and skill.

have a good command of

Suggests a strong and comprehensive understanding or skill.

be adept at

Highlights natural ability and skill.

be well-versed in

Implies extensive knowledge and familiarity.

be qualified in

Focuses on having the necessary qualifications or training.

be capable in

Highlights the ability to perform tasks effectively.

be experienced with

Emphasizes practical knowledge gained through involvement.

FAQs

How can I use "be competent about" in a sentence?

While grammatically correct, "be competent about" is not as common as alternatives. For example, "He needs to be competent about the new regulations" could be rephrased as "He needs to "be knowledgeable about" the new regulations" for better clarity.

What are some alternatives to "be competent about"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "be skilled at", ""be knowledgeable about"", or "have expertise in" to convey a similar meaning with greater impact.

Is it better to say "be competent in" or "be competent about"?

"Be competent in" is generally preferred over "be competent about" as it aligns more closely with standard English usage. However, both can be used, but "be competent in" sounds more natural in most contexts.

What does it mean to be "culturally competent"?

Being "culturally competent" refers to the ability to understand, appreciate, and interact effectively with people from cultures or belief systems different from one's own. It involves being "sensitive to" cultural differences and adapting one's behavior accordingly.