be good at doing

USAGE SUMMARY

Of how to use 'be good at doing.' The phrase "be good at doing" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone's ability or proficiency in performing a particular action or task. For example, "She is good at playing the piano" or "He is good at solving math problems." Here are a few more examples of how to use "be good at doing": - Sarah is good at writing essays. - John is good at cooking. - They are both good at speaking Spanish. - Our team is good at working together. - I am not very good at dancing.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"There's certain things that he probably won't ever be good at doing," Thomas said.

The New York Times - Sports

It must be nice to actually be good at doing something instead of being shitty at the guitar like how I was.

The Guardian - Music

He has never run any government entity — no state, no city, not even a municipal agency — and he may not prove to be good at doing so.

The New York Times - Magazine

RM I feel like, when you have an astronaut and a cartoonist talking, only one of those people is professionally required to be good at doing things under pressure.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

By forcing you to think about and categorize many different skills as either "interesting," "not interesting," or skills that you show some aptitude in, the test makes you think about both what you'd be good at doing and what you'd enjoy.

Science Magazine

Even if your kids are not doing a job they love, they may be good at doing tasks which can be turned into cash.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"And they're good at doing it".

The New York Times - Sports

I'm good at doing magazines.

The New York Times

He had never been good at doing it this way.

The New Yorker

And roads are good at doing just that.

The Economist

I like to think I'm good at doing that.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's strengths, follow "be good at doing" with a specific and concrete action to make the statement more impactful. For example, instead of "He's good at doing things", say "He's good at doing data analysis."

Common error

Avoid using overly general statements with "be good at doing". Instead of saying someone is "good at doing stuff", specify their strengths by providing particular actions. E.g., write "She is good at doing public speaking" instead of "She is good at doing things."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be good at doing" functions as a descriptor indicating competence or skill in a particular activity. Ludwig's examples show how it's used to highlight someone's ability in performing specific tasks.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be good at doing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey proficiency in a specific activity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides various examples across different contexts. It is most commonly found in news and media, science, and wiki sources. For impactful communication, it's essential to use concrete actions and avoid overly general statements. Alternative phrases like "excel at doing" or "be skilled in doing" can be used for variety. By following these writing tips, one can effectively and precisely convey someone's abilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excel at doing

Emphasizes a higher degree of skill or talent.

be skilled in doing

Highlights the possession of a specific skill.

be proficient in doing

Stresses competence and expertise.

have a knack for doing

Suggests a natural talent or aptitude.

be adept at doing

Indicates skillfulness and dexterity.

be talented at doing

Focuses on inherent ability.

be competent in doing

Implies a satisfactory level of skill.

shine at doing

Highlights exceptional performance.

be capable of doing well

Indicates the ability to perform effectively.

demonstrate expertise in doing

Focuses on showing proficiency through performance.

FAQs

How do I use "be good at doing" in a sentence?

Use "be good at doing" to express someone's proficiency or skill in a particular activity. For example, "She is good at doing project management" or "He is good at doing complex calculations."

What can I say instead of "be good at doing"?

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

Which is correct, "be good at doing" or "be good at to do"?

"Be good at doing" is correct. The phrase requires a gerund (a verb form ending in -ing) after the preposition "at". "Be good at to do" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "be good at doing" and "be good at"?

"Be good at doing" is followed by a verb in its gerund form, specifying an action or activity. "Be good at" can be followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund. For instance, "She is good at doing coding" versus "She is good at coding" or "She is good at math".