competence at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "competence at" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's skill or ability in a specific area or task. Example: "Her competence at managing complex projects has earned her several promotions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They have exuded no competence at all".

The New York Times

"Competence — at what cost?" he says to Warner.

The New Yorker

The competence at the top of the bill is what you'd expect.

The New York Times

What inspires loyalty today is not ideology, but the government's competence at raising China from poverty.

The New York Times

In that respect, competence at reality lies in being incompetent at it.

The New York Times - Books

I am trying for fairness and competence at a good price.

The Guardian

"There's no technical competence at O.M.B. to do this," she added.

The New York Times

Just a shame that his job description implied a competence at managing it.

The Guardian - Money

Boards will have to demonstrate competence at monitoring the organization's transformation process.

Harvard Business Review

To assess their competence at developing organizational capabilities, press for details about the people they've mentored.

Harvard Business Review

One is competence at the job (Does Joe know what he's doing?).

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "competence at", clearly specify the area or task at which someone is competent to avoid ambiguity. For example, "competence at project management" is more precise than simply "competence".

Common error

Avoid using "competence at" without specifying the area of competence. Saying someone has "competence" alone is vague; specify "competence at data analysis" or another specific skill.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "competence at" functions as a noun phrase that describes a specific skill or ability. It follows the structure of noun + preposition, indicating skill or ability + area of expertise. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

7%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "competence at" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe proficiency in a specific skill or area. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. It appears frequently in diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings, making it suitable for neutral to professional communication. Related phrases include "proficiency in" and "expertise in", offering alternative ways to express similar concepts. When using "competence at", it's essential to specify the area of competence to maintain clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proficiency in

Focuses on the level of skill achieved, emphasizing mastery in a specific area.

expertise in

Implies a high level of specialized knowledge or skill.

skill in

A more general term for ability, suitable for a broad range of contexts.

adeptness at

Highlights natural talent or quickness in learning a skill.

mastery of

Suggests comprehensive knowledge and control over a subject or skill.

capability in

Emphasizes the potential to perform effectively in a given area.

talent for

Highlights a natural, innate ability.

knack for

Implies an intuitive ease or natural ability.

aptitude for

Suggests an inherent suitability or potential for success.

ability to

Focuses on the general capacity to perform a specific action or task.

FAQs

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

Use "competence at" to describe someone's skill or ability in a specific area. For example, "Her competence at managing complex projects has earned her several promotions".

What are some alternatives to "competence at"?

You can use alternatives like "proficiency in", "expertise in", or "skill in" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "competent in" instead of "competence at"?

While "competent in" and "competence at" are related, "competent in" describes the person (e.g. 'She is competent in mathematics'), whereas "competence at" describes the skill (e.g. 'Her competence at mathematics is impressive').

What's the difference between "competence at" and "ability in"?

"Ability in" is a broader term referring to the general capacity to do something, while "competence at" implies a demonstrated skill and a level of proficiency. Therefore, if you wish to emphasize the proficiency, using "competence at" would be more precise.