be competent in

USAGE SUMMARY

"be competent in" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone's ability to do something. For example, "She is competent in web design."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Let them be competent in somebody else's stewardship.

The New York Times - Sports

"People have trouble understanding the fact that someone can be competent in two different areas," he said.

The New York Times

Most assessors will have some sort of qualification relating to the role that they're assessing, and be competent in that role.

The Guardian

You need to develop and be competent in a number of areas; at points it can feel like running a small business.

The Guardian - Books

We expect our library staff to be competent in the use of social media to assist our users in this popular information space.

The Guardian

When they have learnt this, the teacher adds a new posture when he or she feels you have memorised the sequence so far and you are competent (in so far as you can ever be competent) in it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This understanding and awareness helps them develop skills such as communication, teamwork, problem solving, creativity and resilience; skills we want every young person to be competent in by the time they finish school.

The Guardian

Startups using AI need to be competent in multiple spheres.

TechCrunch

Personally, I've found Portal+ to be competent in the five weeks since launch.

TechCrunch

Therefore, it is necessary to design a secure localization scheme which can be competent in the hostile environment.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The proposed hybrid NN was found to be competent in terms of computational speed and efficiency over the NN model.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be competent in", ensure you clearly specify the area of competence. For example, "She is competent in data analysis" is more informative than "She is competent."

Common error

Avoid using "be competent in" without specifying the area of skill. Saying someone is simply "competent" is vague; clarify their competence by adding the specific skill or area. For example, instead of "He is competent", write "He is competent in project management".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be competent in" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe someone's ability, skill, or expertise in a specific area. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be competent in" is a versatile and widely used expression for indicating proficiency or capability in a specific area. Ludwig confirms that its grammatical structure is correct and its meaning is clearly understood. The phrase is most commonly found in scientific and news media contexts, suggesting its relevance in professional and informative communication. When using this phrase, remember to specify the area of competence to avoid vagueness. Consider alternatives like "be proficient in" or "be skilled in" to add nuance to your writing. As demonstrated by Ludwig, this phrase is a valuable tool for expressing expertise and skill across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be proficient in

This alternative highlights a high degree of skill and expertise.

be skilled in

This alternative emphasizes practical ability and expertise.

be adept at

This alternative suggests a natural talent or quickness in learning.

be capable of

This alternative focuses on having the ability or capacity to do something.

be experienced in

This alternative stresses knowledge gained through practical involvement.

be qualified for

This alternative emphasizes meeting the necessary requirements or standards.

have expertise in

This alternative points to specialized knowledge or skill in a particular field.

have a mastery of

This alternative implies a comprehensive understanding and skill.

be well-versed in

This alternative suggests thorough knowledge and familiarity.

be accomplished in

This alternative denotes a high level of achievement and skill.

FAQs

How do I use "be competent in" in a sentence?

Use "be competent in" to describe someone's ability or skill in a particular area. For example, "The engineer must "be competent in" structural design".

What can I say instead of "be competent in"?

You can use alternatives like "be proficient in", "be skilled in", or "be adept at" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "be competent at" instead of "be competent in"?

While "be competent in" is more common, "be competent at" is also acceptable. The choice often depends on personal preference, but "in" tends to be used for broader areas of expertise while "at" can be used for more specific skills.

What's the difference between "be competent in" and "become competent in"?

"Be competent in" describes a current state of ability, while "become competent in" describes a process of acquiring that ability. For example, "She is competent in programming" versus "She wants to "become competent in" data science".