competence in something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "competence in something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's skill or ability in a specific area or field. Example: "Her competence in data analysis has greatly contributed to the success of our project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I was naive enough to think that if you exhibit competence in something, the movie makes some money and people are happy, that you move onto something of equal size — or larger," she says.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Asked what evidence Ubani provided, a spokeswoman said: "Competence in English is something that is normally picked up during the application process".

The Guardian

"My father was a mechanical idiot, and I think I developed a competence in mechanical areas because it was something I knew he couldn't do".

The New Yorker

First, looking forward, if your aim after the PhD is a faculty position in a Classics Department, then competence in one or both languages is something of a sine qua non.

Cornell University

The queer community's needs were only superficially and inconsistently discussed in our recent Introduction to Cultural Competence course, something that could certainly be enhanced.

Huffington Post

As the New Yorker's Hendrik Hertzberg said yesterday: "Competence is a factor, sometimes hidden, sometimes open, in pretty much every Presidential election... competence is something that the President is showing right now, and Christie is showing it, too".

Huffington Post

So too is Mr. Whitacre's competence in managing a complex manufacturing business -- something Alan Mulally of Ford and Sergio Marchionne of Chrysler, also chief executive of Fiat, had proved before heading to Detroit.

The New York Times

And if its restaurant-strength, frosty competence was off-putting, I could find myself open to the overtures of a British manufacturer that offered a more primitive notion of unapologetic domesticity in something called not a stove but a cooker.

The New York Times

Competence is something you can do something about -- you can become smarter and more experienced.

Huffington Post

After following him to diners and school gymnasiums across Iowa, I had to admit that there was something seductive in hearing Giuliani tout his own competence, in the certainty he brings to complex challenges.

The New York Times - Magazine

Students may also see cultural competence in much the same way good communication used to be viewed, as something one either has or doesn't have.

BMC Medical Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When highlighting someone's "competence in something", be specific about the area of expertise. This adds credibility and provides a clearer understanding of their abilities.

Common error

Avoid vaguely claiming someone has "competence in everything". Focus on specific skills or areas where their competence is evident to create a more convincing and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "competence in something" functions as a noun phrase, where "competence" is the main noun and "in something" acts as a prepositional phrase modifying the noun. It describes the possession of adequate skills or abilities within a specific domain.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "competence in something" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to denote proficiency or skill in a specific area. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While not extremely frequent, it appears across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and science. When using this phrase, specificity is key to conveying a clear and impactful message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proficiency in something

Replaces "competence" with "proficiency", emphasizing a high degree of skill.

expertise in something

Substitutes "competence" with "expertise", suggesting specialized knowledge or skill.

skill in something

Uses the more general term "skill" instead of "competence", broadening the scope.

ability in something

Replaces "competence" with "ability", focusing on the capacity to perform.

adeptness in something

Substitutes "competence" with "adeptness", highlighting a natural talent or skill.

mastery of something

Replaces "competence" with "mastery", suggesting a comprehensive understanding and skill.

capability in something

Uses "capability" instead of "competence", focusing on the potential to perform well.

talent for something

Emphasizes a natural aptitude or gift rather than acquired skill.

aptitude for something

Focuses on the inherent potential or suitability for a particular task or field.

knack for something

Suggests an intuitive or effortless ability to do something well.

FAQs

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

You can use "competence in something" to describe someone's skill or ability in a specific area. For example, "Her "competence in data analysis" significantly improved our project outcomes."

What are some alternatives to "competence in something"?

Alternatives include "proficiency in something", "expertise in something", or "skill in something", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "competence at something" or "competence in something"?

While both are acceptable, "competence in something" is generally preferred. "Competence at something" is also correct, but less frequently used.

What does it mean to have "competence in something"?

Having "competence in something" means you possess the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform effectively and successfully in that particular area.