credentials

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "credentials" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to qualifications, achievements, or evidence of someone's abilities or background, often in professional or academic contexts. Example: "Before hiring a new employee, we always check their credentials to ensure they meet our requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or, with 28% of young people believing Brand "doesn't know what he's talking about" has the interview reduced Miliband's credentials as prime minister, only days before the election?

The Guardian

The west looked to Saudi Arabia but failed to see how poor Abdullah's credentials were, even among Sunni Muslims in the region.

The Guardian

Gordon Brown has added his heavyweight credentials to the 'No' campaign, warning that a Scotland dominated by the SNP will not necessarily be more progressive than the status quo.

The Guardian

Halfon is one of the few Tory MPs with the credentials to make that sort of joke and Cameron's plans to boost apprenticeships or excise daft red tape is fine, too.

The Guardian

"If I were the commissioner of the Tour, every single caddie that next week would have had new credentials that allowed clubhouse access.

The Guardian - Sport

Jaruzelski preferred to emphasise his reformist credentials, claiming he had been the first Warsaw Pact leader to recognise the significance of Mikhail Gorbachev's ideas.

The Guardian

BBC London's hirsute new weather presenter Sadiq Iqbal proves key to Bame – black, Asian and minority ethnic – targets, so he's "viralised" by Siobhan, using the hashtag #beardyweather, to highlight his ethnic credentials.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The coalition, like the Labour government before it, is desperate to out-Ukip Ukip and prove its credentials as a government that can build high barricades to protect our shores against outsiders.

The Guardian - Opinion

As Islamic State, a rival to al-Qaida within the broad movement of Sunni Muslim extremism, continues to build its influence and recognition in the south Asian region, experts say it is likely that al-Qaida will make increasing efforts to prove its contemporary credentials through spectacular attacks.

The Guardian

Clinton continued to re-establish her domestic-policy credentials to progressives while stepping up her challenges to Republicans like Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio, saying it was "foolish" to believe that deportations were the answer to one of the most contentious topics in the amped-up race for the White House.

The Guardian

In imitation of Tsar Peter the Great, who constructed St Petersburg in a swampy wilderness to act as a window to Europe, Putin showcased his modernizing credentials with an Olympic complex on a swampy coast and a brand new skiing resort in the mountains.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the importance of verifying qualifications, use "credentials" to underscore the need for documented proof of abilities and experience.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "credentials" alone guarantee competence. While they offer documented evidence, practical skills and experience should also be considered.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "credentials" is as a plural noun. It refers to the documented qualifications, skills, or accomplishments that demonstrate a person's suitability or eligibility for a position or task. Ludwig examples show the word is frequently employed to assess one's fitness for a specific role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "credentials" functions as a plural noun denoting qualifications or evidence of competence. As confirmed by Ludwig, the term is grammatically correct and frequently used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in news, business and general media. When using "credentials", remember that it emphasizes documented proof and should not be mistaken as the only factor determining someone's abilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

qualifications

Focuses on the skills and knowledge one possesses.

certifications

Highlights formal recognition of competence.

accreditation

Emphasizes official approval or recognition.

documentation

Refers to the official papers that serve as proof.

letters of introduction

Highlights formal introductions showcasing abilities.

proof of competency

Emphasizes the evidence of one's skill level.

records

Formal data that is used as competency indicators.

references

Statements or letters from people who can vouch for someone's abilities.

entitlements

Focuses on rights and permissions granted.

capacity

Highlights the role or position held, implying qualifications.

FAQs

How to use "credentials" in a sentence?

You can use "credentials" to refer to the qualifications, achievements, or qualities of a person or organization that entitle them to be believed or trusted. For example: "The candidate's strong academic "qualifications" served as impressive "credentials"".

What can I say instead of "credentials"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "qualifications", "certifications", "accreditation", or "documentation".

Which is correct, "credentials" or "credential"?

"Credentials" is the plural form and is typically used when referring to a collection of qualifications or achievements. "Credential" is the singular form, used when referring to a single qualification or achievement.

What's the difference between "credentials" and "qualifications"?

"Credentials" often refer to documented proof or evidence of qualifications, while "qualifications" encompass a broader range of skills, knowledge, and experience, whether formally documented or not.