competent to undertake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "competent to undertake" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's qualifications or ability to perform a specific task or responsibility. Example: "The committee found her competent to undertake the project due to her extensive experience in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

This Court would hardly be competent to undertake assessments of varying degrees of friendliness or its absence, and, lacking some definite touchstone for determination, we are constrained to consider any relationship, short of war, with a recognized sovereign power as embracing the privilege of resorting to United States courts.

Cornell University

Such factors as the strength of the case, the prosecution’s general deterrence value, the Government’s enforcement priorities, and the case’s relationship to the Government’s overall enforcement plan are not readily susceptible to the kind of analysis the courts are competent to undertake.

Cornell University

Those on-call at night should be competent to undertake the predicted work.

BMC Medical Education

Midwives have to complete the program and competency assessment to ensure that they have adequate knowledge of oral health and are competent to undertake an oral visual inspection.

BMC Oral Health

All participants were given familiarisation training in the use of both the wheelchairs until they felt competent to undertake the trial.

BioMed Research International

All physiotherapists operating the PhysioDirect services will undertake a structured training programme and be assessed and certified as competent to undertake PhysioDirect before they assess patients in the trial.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Moore, in a letter to McLane, noted that sending an agent to Europe to gather technology had been discussed in the past, but proposals had foundered over the difficulty of finding a person both competent enough to undertake the trip successfully and not too busy to spend a year or more in Europe.

Wikipedia

With that in mind, he persuaded me, my partner Suzanne, his wife Michele and our friend Deborah to undertake "competent crew" courses approved by the Royal Yachting Association while he added a "day skipper" course on top.

The Guardian - Travel

Most importantly, students could benefit from an explicit understanding of the communicative purpose and faculty expectations of the graduate degree research proposal: to convey a persona of a budding and yet relatively competent researcher with sufficient motivation and focus, to undertake long-term research projects.

Functional Linguistics

Scientists in the European countries planning to conduct animal experiments are obliged to undertake a valid "indispensability search" prior to applying for an authorization of the experiment at the national competent authority.

Archives of Toxicology

Not something to undertake lightly.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "competent to undertake" when you want to emphasize both the skill and the authorization to perform a specific task. It's particularly useful in formal contexts where both ability and responsibility are key.

Common error

Avoid using "competent to undertake" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "able to do" or "capable of handling" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "competent to undertake" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive. It modifies a noun (often a person or entity) and specifies their capability and authorization to perform a certain action. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

Academia

25%

News & Media

12%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "competent to undertake" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that someone has the necessary skills, knowledge, and authorization to perform a specific task. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and suitability, particularly in formal contexts such as science, academia, and professional settings. While not as common as simpler alternatives, it effectively conveys both ability and responsibility. When aiming for a more casual tone, consider alternatives like "able to do" or "capable of handling". Remember to use it appropriately to maintain a formal register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

qualified to perform

Focuses on meeting the necessary standards or criteria for a specific task, emphasizing formal qualification.

capable of handling

Emphasizes the ability to manage or deal with something effectively.

able to manage

Highlights the ability to oversee and control something, suggesting a managerial capacity.

equipped to execute

Indicates that someone has the necessary tools and resources to carry out a task.

prepared to tackle

Focuses on readiness and willingness to confront and deal with a challenge.

ready to assume

Emphasizes the willingness to take on a responsibility or role.

skilled in conducting

Highlights the expertise and proficiency in carrying out a specific activity.

proficient at implementing

Stresses the expertise in putting a plan or system into effect.

authorized to proceed

Implies that formal permission has been granted to start a task.

fit to execute

Suggests that someone is in the right condition or state to perform a task.

FAQs

How can I use "competent to undertake" in a sentence?

You can use "competent to undertake" to describe someone's qualifications or ability to perform a task. For example, "The committee found her "competent to undertake" the project due to her experience."

What are some alternatives to "competent to undertake"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "qualified to perform", "capable of handling", or "able to manage".

Is "competent to undertake" formal or informal?

"Competent to undertake" is generally considered a more formal expression. In informal settings, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate.

What does "competent to undertake" mean?

The phrase "competent to undertake" means having the necessary skills, knowledge, and authorization to perform a specific task or responsibility effectively.