be competent of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be competent of" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression would typically be "be competent in" or "be competent at." Example: "To succeed in this role, you need to be competent in project management."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Gabapentin was found to be competent of reacting with NIN only at higher temperatures.

Journal of Analytical Science and Technology

Simultaneous utilization of organic matter and ammonia degradation indicated R31 to be competent of heterotrophic nitrification as well as aerobic denitrification.

BioMed Research International

Enterovirus infections were diagnosed as an increase in IgG levels in 9.2% of the mothers, but no detectable IgM was observed in the cord blood samples, even though the fetus is known to be competent of producing IgM class antibodies already in utero (24, 25).

Diabetes Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Also an Assessment Experience Questionnaire (AEQ) that is competent of measuring students' learning response has been presented.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

However, the oocytes and embryos are competent of development as in vivo and lead to healthy newborns worldwide.

Plosone

Ig-like domain mutants were competent of PA binding (Fig 7F), indicating that even if the Ig-like domain did not fold properly, the vWA domain did.

EMBO Molecular Medicine

Heavy metals are competent of inducing toxicity in living organisms because of their capability of interacting with the nuclear proteins and nucleic acids causing oxidative deterioration of biomolecules [ 2].

BioMed Research International

To some extent, dressing professionally signals that you're competent, on top of things and taking the responsibilities of your role seriously.

The Guardian - Opinion

If we expect the physicians of tomorrow to be competent users of such tools, then it makes sense to encourage using these tools throughout medical education.

BMC Medical Education

Rather, he argues, Republicans must learn to be competent managers of the bureaucracy and "pro-good government".

The New Yorker

Roe deer are thought to be competent reservoirs of A. phagocytophilum (22), and a high seroprevalence has been found in previous studies in Europe.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "be competent in" or "be competent at" instead of "be competent of". For example: "She is competent in data analysis".

Common error

Avoid using "of" after "competent". The correct prepositions are "in" or "at". A common mistake is saying "He is competent of handling the task", which should be "He is competent in handling the task" or "He is competent at handling the task".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be competent of" is intended to function as a descriptive adjective phrase, aiming to characterize someone or something as capable or skilled. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically incorrect in standard English. It typically requires correction to "be competent in" or "be competent at".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "be competent of" is intended to express capability or proficiency, it is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI highlights, the correct usage is "be competent in" or "be competent at". Analysis of the provided examples shows its rare occurrence across various contexts, including Science and News & Media, but its incorrect grammar lowers its overall quality and appropriateness. Always opt for the grammatically correct alternatives to ensure clarity and professionalism in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be competent in

This alternative uses the correct preposition to indicate the area of competence.

be skilled at

This alternative replaces "competent" with "skilled" and uses the preposition "at" to specify the area of expertise.

be proficient in

This alternative uses "proficient" to convey a high level of skill and uses the preposition "in" for the specific area.

be capable of

This alternative shifts the focus to capability rather than competence, using the preposition "of" correctly.

have expertise in

This alternative uses a noun phrase to express competence, indicating specialized knowledge.

be adept at

This alternative employs "adept" to suggest skillfulness and uses the preposition "at".

be qualified for

This alternative emphasizes the possession of necessary qualifications for a role or task.

be masterful in

This alternative uses "masterful" to denote exceptional competence and uses the preposition "in".

be well-versed in

This alternative suggests comprehensive knowledge and experience in a particular area.

be accomplished in

This alternative uses "accomplished" to describe someone who has achieved a high level of skill and uses the preposition "in".

FAQs

What's the correct way to say someone is good at something: "competent of", "competent in", or "competent at"?

"Competent of" is grammatically incorrect. The correct options are "competent in" or "competent at". For example, you can say someone is "competent in" project management or "competent at" problem-solving.

What does it mean to be 'competent in' a skill?

To be "competent in" a skill means you have the necessary ability, knowledge, or skill to do something successfully. It suggests a satisfactory level of proficiency. You might also say someone is "proficient in" or "skilled in" that area.

Are there synonyms for "be competent in" that I can use to vary my writing?

Yes, you can use phrases like "be skilled in", "be proficient in", "be adept at", or "have expertise in" as alternatives to "be competent in".

How can I improve my competence in a particular field?

You can improve your competence by gaining more knowledge and experience in that field. This could involve taking courses, practicing skills, seeking feedback, and learning from mistakes. Focus on areas where you need to improve and actively work on developing those skills.