by the competent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by the competent" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to actions or decisions made by qualified individuals, but it lacks context and clarity. Example: "The report was prepared by the competent authorities to ensure accuracy."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Recently, I was informed by the competent authorities that access to the Vatican archives after that date is not possible at present for technical reasons," Cardinal Kasper wrote.

The New York Times

There is a case to answer, and the public interest can only be determined through proper scrutiny by the competent authorities".

The Guardian

He added: "Built on a formerly listed site, the theatre has undergone a rigorous and democratic consultation process led by the competent local and national authorities.

The Guardian

"I have always considered unequivocal the disciplinary interventions by the competent bodies, but at the same time I believe that the proposed formula is excessive".

The Guardian - Sport

So I wouldn't advise you to run out and buy the latest edition of Zest, the monthly women's health magazine, which is usually edited by the competent Mandie Gower.

The Guardian

It noted "with profound concern and disappointment that the United Kingdom authorities did not introduce a bill to parliament at the start of its 2014-2015 session as recommended by the competent parliamentary committee".

The Guardian

But Ecowas said the outcome of the runoff would be accepted as long as the vote is "judged by the competent authorities and endorsed by credible observers to be in accordance with the electoral laws of Liberia".

The Guardian

The prosecutor's office alluded to these obstacles, saying it was "analysing the relevance and genuineness of national proceedings by the competent national authorities for the alleged conduct described above as well as the gravity of the alleged crimes".

The Guardian

The current law would thus seem to argue that a person seeking diplomatic asylum should be surrendered if he is accused of a criminal offence and a warrant for his arrest has been issued by the competent authorities.

The Guardian - Opinion

The 17-year-old sleuth of the title (played by the competent newcomer Rissa Walters, refreshingly not too Hollywood glamorous or svelte), goes to a small town to see the grandmother (Jane Harris) of a friend killed by a drunken driver.

The New York Times

According to article 103 of Qatar Labour Law No.14 of 2004: "The employer shall take the measures capable of securing the hygiene and good ventilation in the places of work and shall provide it with the suitable lighting and potable water, hygiene and drainage, in accordance with the regulations and decisions to be issued by the competent authorities in this respect".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reframe the sentence to clearly state the entity possessing competence, for example, "assessed by competent authorities" or "reviewed by a competent panel".

Common error

Avoid using "by the competent" without specifying who or what is considered competent. Instead of saying "the report was reviewed by the competent", specify "the report was reviewed by the competent authorities in environmental regulations" to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by the competent" functions as a prepositional modifier, indicating agency or performance. However, it often lacks specificity. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's more precise to clarify the entity exhibiting competence to avoid ambiguity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "by the competent" is frequently used, Ludwig AI points out its grammatical awkwardness and lack of clarity. It is best used when clearly specifying the entity demonstrating competence, such as "by the competent authorities" or "by a competent professional". As noted by Ludwig, alternative phrases like "by the qualified" or "by the skilled" can provide greater precision. To enhance your writing, avoid vagueness by explicitly stating who or what is considered competent, and consider more formal alternatives when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by the qualified

Replaces "competent" with "qualified", focusing on having the necessary qualifications.

by the skilled

Emphasizes the skill level of the individuals involved.

by the authorized

Highlights that the action was performed by someone with official authorization.

by the responsible

Focuses on the accountability and responsibility of the individuals.

by the appropriate

Indicates that the action was carried out by the most suitable individuals for the task.

by the relevant

Highlights that the individuals have a direct connection or importance to the matter.

by the capable

Focuses on the ability and potential of the individuals involved.

by the designated

Emphasizes that specific individuals were chosen or assigned to perform the action.

by the experienced

Highlights the level of expertise and practical knowledge of the individuals.

by the certified

Focuses on individuals having formal certification indicating expertise.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "by the competent" for better clarity?

Consider alternatives such as "by the qualified", "by the skilled", or "by the authorized", depending on the specific context.

What is a more formal way to say "by the competent"?

In formal contexts, options like "by the relevant authorities" or "by the responsible parties" can provide a more professional tone.

Is "by the competent" grammatically incorrect?

While frequently used, as Ludwig AI indicates, "by the competent" can be considered grammatically awkward. It is generally better to specify the competent entity to ensure clarity. For example instead of saying "it was reviewed by the competent", try specifying "it was reviewed by the "competent authorities"".

How does the meaning change when using "by the competent authorities" instead of "by the competent"?

Adding "authorities" specifies the entity that possesses competence, providing a clearer and more precise meaning. The phrase ""competent authorities"" implies that the action was performed by a body with the necessary power and expertise, while "by the competent" is vague.