competently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "competently" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone performing a task with skill and proficiency. Example: "She handled the project competently, ensuring all deadlines were met and quality standards upheld."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He wrote: "People want a fairer, better Britain, but they also need to have confidence in the ability of a government to manage the economy competently.

The Guardian

He talks competently, telling the crowd what they want to hear – that unlike the Tories, Labour will not cut spending per pupil in real terms.

The Guardian

It's clear to most people that the Green ministers are performing well and competently".

The Guardian

Romney and Huntsman do feasibility; Bachmann and Perry are accomplished posturers.8 46: There are candidates who speak competently with a sense of political feasibility and those that simply posture.

The Economist

He owns no flat and, he says, does not have much of a life outside his work.Mr Zhang, who is 27, is beginning his climb up the bureaucracy in the capital of a province, Shanxi, south-west of Beijing, which is reputed to be among the most corrupt and least competently governed.

The Economist

Mr Johnson would need to govern competently for the remaining months of Labour's mandate, and perhaps make progress on public-service reform.

The Economist

In the parts of Congo he controlled, Kabila ruled as despotically as his predecessor, but less competently.

The Economist

But its regulators and politicians must now back up their hard talk with action even if other countries treat their banks more leniently.Finally the stress tests must be stage-managed competently.

The Economist

Saudi Arabia is the odd one out in that its king, Fahd, is already hors de combat and the kingdom is competently run by Crown Prince Abdullah.

The Economist

At a recent campaign stop in Las Vegas, he stroked the crowds competently and bilingually, but without displaying much of his rivals' star power.

The Economist

If TPL cannot get its bid right, what hope is there that it will run the lottery competently?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to show an active approach, pair "competently" with action verbs like "execute", "handle", or "manage" to underscore the proficiency applied.

Common error

Avoid using "competently" when you mean "competent". "Competent" is an adjective describing someone's ability, while "competently" is an adverb describing how something is done. For example, "She is a competent manager" vs. "She manages competently".

Linguistic Context

The adverb "competently" functions to modify verbs, adverbs, or adjectives, indicating how an action is performed. Ludwig examples show it describing government management, speaking abilities, and running organizations. Ludwig AI confirms that "competently" is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "competently" is a versatile adverb used to describe actions performed with skill and effectiveness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and examples highlight its prevalence in News & Media and Science contexts. When writing, remember to use "competently" to emphasize proficiency and avoid confusing it with the adjective "competent". Alternatives such as "skillfully" and "effectively" can add nuance to your writing. With its frequent use and clear meaning, "competently" is a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skillfully

Emphasizes the dexterity and expertise involved in the action.

proficiently

Highlights the advanced level of skill and knowledge applied.

adeptly

Focuses on the natural talent and quickness in performing the task.

effectively

Stresses the successful achievement of the desired outcome.

capably

Indicates the general ability and competence to handle a task.

efficiently

Highlights the ability to perform a task without wasting resources.

expertly

Emphasizes a high level of knowledge and mastery.

deftly

Focuses on the nimbleness and precision in performing the action.

ably

A simple way to say someone is capable and competent.

with competence

Rephrases the adverb as a prepositional phrase emphasizing the quality of competence.

FAQs

How can I use "competently" in a sentence?

Use "competently" to describe how someone performs an action with skill and effectiveness. For instance, "The team handled the project "competently", ensuring all deadlines were met".

What are some alternatives to using "competently"?

You can use alternatives like "skillfully", "proficiently", or "effectively" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it better to say "competent" or "competently"?

The choice depends on the context. Use "competent" as an adjective to describe someone's ability (e.g., "a competent employee"). Use "competently" as an adverb to describe how an action is performed (e.g., "The task was completed "competently"").

What's the difference between "competently" and "adequately"?

"Competently" implies a high level of skill and effectiveness, while "adequately" suggests meeting a minimum requirement or standard. Something done "competently" is done well, whereas something done adequately is just 'good enough'.