clumsy at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'clumsy at' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe someone who is awkward or inefficient at performing a particular task or action. For example, "She's a bit clumsy at taking orders from customers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

I was clumsy at first.

The New Yorker

The painting looked clumsy at first.

The New York Times - Arts

The effort has been clumsy at best, his critics say.

The New York Times

"Artful" injects more pleasure into your head than some books that aren't clumsy at all.

The New York Times - Books

Jacques Faty's injury-time tackle was clumsy at best, but a penalty it had to be.

The Guardian - Sport

Although he was clumsy at times, he scored 9 points in the fourth quarter.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Jason Giambi was jeered in New York for clumsy at-bats, forgiven when his fly balls began landing in the right-field stands in the old place across the street.

The New York Times

40th over: India 229-4 (Kohli 31, Dhoni 1) chasing 299 Bresnan goes from hero to clutz with a clumsy attempt at a diving stop at short third man.

The Guardian - Sport

I'd rather see a real effort at inclusion and balance instead of this overly earnest, clumsy attempt at 28 days of sensitivity for schoolchildren and government officials".

Los Angeles Times

And...a clumsy one at that".

The Economist

Instead, it had been a clumsy attempt at humour.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clumsy at", ensure the context clearly specifies the activity or skill the person is awkward with. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity. For instance, instead of just saying "He is clumsy", specify "He is clumsy at dancing".

Common error

Avoid using "clumsy at" to describe abstract concepts or emotions. It's more appropriate for physical actions or skills. For example, don't say "He's clumsy at feeling", instead, use "He struggles with expressing his feelings" or "He's awkward with emotional expression".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clumsy at" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun by describing a lack of skill or grace in a specific activity. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is a standard and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

4%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clumsy at" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe someone's lack of skill or awkwardness in a specific activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for general use, especially in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "inept at" or "awkward at" exist, "clumsy at" maintains a straightforward and easily understood meaning. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the activity in question and avoiding its application to abstract concepts. It is advisable to use it for actions that require physical coordination more often than for emotional or mental states.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inept at

Replaces "clumsy" with "inept", emphasizing a general lack of skill.

awkward at

Substitutes "clumsy" with "awkward", highlighting a lack of grace or smoothness.

unskilled at

Replaces "clumsy" with "unskilled", directly addressing the absence of skill.

poor at

Uses "poor" instead of "clumsy", focusing on the low quality of performance.

bad at

A simpler, more direct way of saying someone lacks skill.

inefficient at

Highlights the lack of efficiency in performing a task.

ungraceful at

Emphasizes the lack of grace or elegance in the action.

incompetent at

Focuses on the inability to perform the task adequately.

ham-fisted at

An idiomatic expression suggesting a lack of finesse.

heavy-handed at

Suggests a lack of subtlety or delicacy in handling something.

FAQs

How can I use "clumsy at" in a sentence?

You can use "clumsy at" to describe someone who lacks skill or is awkward in a particular activity. For example, "She is "clumsy at dancing"" or "He's "clumsy at public speaking"".

What are some alternatives to "clumsy at"?

Some alternatives to "clumsy at" include "inept at", "awkward at", "unskilled at", or "poor at". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "clumsy in" instead of "clumsy at"?

While "clumsy in" might be understandable, "clumsy at" is the more standard and widely accepted phrasing. Stick with "clumsy at" for better clarity and grammatical correctness.

What's the difference between "clumsy at" and "awkward at"?

While similar, "clumsy at" often implies a lack of physical coordination or skill, whereas "awkward at" can also refer to social situations or interactions. For example, someone might be "awkward at parties" but "clumsy at sports".