be talented at

USAGE SUMMARY

"be talented at" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used when someone is particularly skilled at something. For example: "My sister is very talented at singing, so she was asked to be a soloist in the choir concert."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Even if you have a talent, it doesn't mean that you're going to be talented at every aspect of something.

WikiHow

"Why do I have to be talented at something?

The New Yorker

Hodge may be talented at one-liners that make the headlines but there is more to her grillings than dramatics.

The Guardian

The comparatively pedestrian schoolyard here feels like a lost opportunity, especially since Frost has proved himself to be talented at establishing place in his other work.

The New York Times - Books

Paul, the actor played by Alex Karpovsky, appears to be talented at what he does, but that makes his grim quality of life only more depressing.

The New Yorker

("I went into hair.... I hated it. But I was good at it.... I had always thought to be talented at something, you had to like it").

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"He's talented at everything – a phenomenal guitarist.

The Guardian - Music

He is talented at making electronic beats and drum tracks from bizarre samples.

The New York Times - Arts

He was talented at the work, and says that it was good training for Hollywood.

The New Yorker

A lot of successful politicians, like George W. Bush and Barack Obama, are talented at reading from a Teleprompter.

The New Yorker

By Nathaniel Stein September 6 , 2012A lot of successful politicians, like George W. Bush and Barack Obama, are talented at reading from a Teleprompter.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's abilities, follow "be talented at" with a specific and concrete skill or activity. For example, "She is talented at playing the piano" is more informative than "She is talented".

Common error

Avoid using "be talented at" as a vague compliment. Instead of saying "He's talented at life", specify what he excels at, such as "He's talented at problem-solving and building relationships".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be talented at" functions as a predicate adjective describing a subject's ability or skill in a specific area. It indicates a natural aptitude or developed proficiency. Ludwig examples show it preceding various skills.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

33%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be talented at" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to describe someone's proficiency in a specific area. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English. Usage analysis reveals that it most frequently appears in News & Media and Wiki sources, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts. To enhance your writing, follow "be talented at" with a precise skill and avoid overly broad applications. Alternatives like "be skilled in" or "have a gift for" can add nuance to your descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be adept at

Synonymous replacement of "talented" with "adept".

be skilled in

Uses "skilled" instead of "talented", emphasizing learned ability.

be proficient in

Substitutes "talented" with "proficient", emphasizing competence.

have a gift for

Replaces "talented" with "gift", suggesting a natural endowment.

possess aptitude for

Replaces "talented" with "aptitude", focusing on innate ability.

have a knack for

Emphasizes a natural ease and skill.

excel in

Uses "excel" instead of "talented", highlighting exceptional performance.

be competent in

Focuses on possessing the necessary abilities.

demonstrate expertise in

Highlights a high level of skill or knowledge.

show prowess in

Highlights exceptional skill and ability.

FAQs

How can I use "be talented at" in a sentence?

Use "be talented at" to describe someone's proficiency in a specific skill or activity. For example, "She is talented at painting portraits" or "He is talented at public speaking".

What are some alternatives to saying "be talented at"?

You can use alternatives like "be skilled in", "have a gift for", or "be adept at" to express similar meanings.

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

While "be talented at" is more common, "be talented in" can also be used, particularly when referring to a broader field or area. However, "be talented at" is generally preferred for specific skills.

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

"Be talented at" implies a natural aptitude or exceptional skill, whereas "be good at" simply indicates a satisfactory level of ability. Talent suggests an innate gift, while being good at something suggests competence gained through practice or training.