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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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competent skill

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

'competent skill' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example, you could use it in a sentence such as, "He demonstrated a competent skill in completing the task."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Most of the newcomers have shown competent skill in preparing standard Italian fare, with occasional flair in certain dishes and ingredients.

News & Media

The New York Times

Based on the mean grade for each hospital placement, the students' AAP grades ranged between 60.5% and 69.5% with a collective mean of 64.4%, which corresponds to a good knowledge or competent skill level on the marking guide.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

With the development of the health care system in Oman in general, and the evolving specialty of EM in particular, there has been a parallel recognition of the need to develop specialized emergency nurses who can successfully support the system via their proficient knowledge and competent skills in emergency care.

At the Prophet's death, Arab clans were determined to exclude "foreigners" from holding the office of the caliph, even if the "foreigners" were pious Muslims with competent skills to run administrative affairs.

News & Media

Huffington Post

A certified vasectomist would be expected to have demonstrated competent skills by completing 50 supervised vasectomies (fewer than 50 if they are a medical doctor) as well as proficient theoretical knowledge to implement the procedure.

"Female" candidates were deemed less competent – identical skills and experience notwithstanding.

News & Media

The Guardian

And for good reason: he'd run errands for any of us dutifully, or fix an old appliance with mysteriously competent electrical skills.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Because these students lack competent research skills they use sources that lack credibility and accuracy such as Wikipedia and unfounded opinion blogs that compound this problem.

News & Media

Huffington Post

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, "Reading proficiency by third grade is the most significant predictor of high school graduation and career success, yet two-thirds of U.S. third-graders lack competent reading skills".

News & Media

Huffington Post

The bulbus juguli oxymetry is an invasive but cheap, simple and with competent practical skills a safely applicable monitoring method for the judgement of cerebral oxygenisation.

It was assumed that students would have studied harder and practiced more to become competent in skills set at level 3 and level 2, than for level 1, both because their teachers gave those skills importance and because they would encounter them more often during their clinical and other training.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's abilities, use "competent skill" to emphasize a solid, reliable level of proficiency, especially in professional or technical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "competent skill" when a higher level of expertise is meant; instead, consider phrases like "expert skill" or "masterful technique" to convey exceptional ability.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

80%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "competent skill" functions as a descriptive term, modifying a noun to indicate a satisfactory level of ability. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

42%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "competent skill" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe an adequate and reliable level of proficiency. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While relatively rare, it appears in varied contexts such as Science, News & Media, and Wiki sources. When writing, ensure the phrase accurately reflects the level of expertise you intend to convey, avoiding overstatement and choosing more descriptive alternatives when necessary. Use it to emphasize a solid and dependable skillset, especially in professional or technical contexts.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "competent skill" in a sentence?

Use "competent skill" to describe someone's ability to perform a task adequately and reliably. For example, "The technician demonstrated "competent skill" in repairing the equipment".

What are some alternatives to using "competent skill"?

You can use alternatives such as "proficient ability", "capable aptitude", or "adequate expertise" depending on the specific context you're aiming to convey.

Is it redundant to say "competent skill," or is it grammatically sound?

While some may find it slightly redundant, "competent skill" is grammatically sound and understandable. The term "competent" emphasizes the quality of the skill being adequate and reliable.

In what contexts is "competent skill" most appropriate?

"Competent skill" is suitable in contexts where you want to highlight a reliable and sufficient level of proficiency, particularly in professional, technical, or academic settings, but it is less appropriate in describing exceptional or masterful abilities.

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Authority and reliability

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: