competence with

USAGE SUMMARY

“competence with” is correct and usable in written English.
It’s typically used when referring to one’s abilities or skill in a particular area. For example, “She demonstrated competence with the software despite having never used it before.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is known for his competence with gadgets, guns and members of the opposite sex.

The Guardian - Film

Wouldn't most of the politicos love to display this level of competence with flair?

The Guardian

An examination was held for her students to test their competence with the English language.

The New Yorker

You can build relationships and a good sense of competence with your fellow party members.

The New Yorker

Competence with written language, in both reading and writing, is known as literacy.

Britannica

The assembly division is also emphasizing statistical quality control competence with every supplier.

Harvard Business Review

Ryan, ever modest, nonetheless takes pride in his competence with the no-huddle.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Lee, 59, emphasizes his competence, with posters declaring "Ed Lee Gets It Done".

The New York Times

Brown was admired for more than the competence with which he handled the summer crises.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, several researches suggest that students exhibit difficulties in achieving representational competence with molecular diagrams.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Furthermore, poor immune competence with ageing is closely linked to thymic atrophy.

Current Opinion in Pharmacology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When highlighting someone's abilities, use "competence with" followed by a specific noun to showcase their strengths. For instance, "Her competence with data analysis was crucial to the project's success."

Common error

Avoid overstating competence. "Competence with" implies a solid, reliable skill set, not necessarily mastery. Use "expertise in" or "mastery of" to denote advanced levels of proficiency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "competence with" functions as a noun phrase followed by a preposition, typically acting as a complement to a verb or adjective. It describes a specific area in which someone possesses ability or skill, as confirmed by Ludwig AI and numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "competence with" is a versatile phrase used to denote skill or ability in a specific area. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently employed across diverse contexts. The phrase finds common ground in news, scientific, and formal business environments, emphasizing the importance of clear communication of skills. To enhance writing, ensure specificity when using "competence with", and avoid overstating skill levels. Alternatives like "proficiency in" and "expertise in" can offer nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proficiency in

Changes the preposition to "in", suggesting a slightly more general skill set.

expertise in

Replaces "competence" with "expertise", implying a higher level of skill and knowledge.

skill with

Substitutes "competence" with "skill", offering a more straightforward and common alternative.

ability to handle

Rephrases the concept to emphasize the capacity to manage or deal with something effectively.

adeptness at

Replaces "competence" with "adeptness", suggesting natural talent and skill.

familiarity with

Emphasizes knowledge and understanding rather than pure skill.

mastery of

Indicates a comprehensive and high-level understanding and skill.

capability in

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

knack for

Suggests a natural talent or aptitude for something.

command of

Implies a strong level of control and expertise.

FAQs

How do I use "competence with" in a sentence?

Use "competence with" to describe someone's ability or skill in a particular area. For example, "The candidate demonstrated competence with project management software."

What are some alternatives to "competence with"?

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

Is it more appropriate to say "competence in" or "competence with"?

"Competence in" and "competence with" are both correct, but "competence with" often implies a more hands-on or practical ability. For instance, "competence with software" suggests practical usage, while "competence in mathematics" can refer to theoretical knowledge.

What does "competence with" mean in a professional context?

In a professional context, "competence with" typically refers to having the required skills and abilities to perform a task or role effectively. It indicates a reliable and capable level of performance.