crude at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crude at" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's lack of skill or refinement in a particular area or activity. Example: "He is still quite crude at playing the piano, but with practice, he will improve."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the crude AT extracts, there are ∼3% (w/w) of asarones (Fig. S3A).

Aging Cell

It's possibly even crude at times.

The Guardian - Books

Government sanctioned tests for DU poisoning have been crude at best.

The Guardian

Kuwait and Abu Dhabi can live with crude at its current level: Saudi Arabia cannot.

The Guardian

"Iran has between 40m and 50m barrels of crude at sea.

The Guardian

All are obsessed with refining crude at the expense of exporting it.

The Economist

Most OPEC nations and countries allied with them like Mexico and Norway are already producing crude at maximum capacity.

The New York Times

In January, 2009, Donziger travelled to Park City, Utah, to attend the première of "Crude," at the Sundance Film Festival.

The New Yorker

Oil was trading above that Monday, with the benchmark Brent crude at $53.50 a barrel in London.

The New York Times

Traders say Fujairah also sees sales of Iranian crude at discounted prices to those who dare to buy it.

The New York Times

Those vintage tools were crude at best by modern standards, and yet, they were amazingly effective…some of the time.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crude at" to describe something that is basic, unrefined, or lacking in sophistication. This can apply to skills, methods, or even technologies.

Common error

Avoid using "crude at" in highly formal or professional writing. Opt for more precise and nuanced language to describe the specific deficiency or lack of skill. Terms like "lacking in sophistication" or "unrefined" can be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crude at" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, typically describing a skill, method, or object as being unrefined or lacking sophistication. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "crude at" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes a lack of refinement or sophistication. While not extremely common, as Ludwig shows, it appears in various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. Ludwig AI indicates that the expression is deemed correct. When choosing alternatives, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, opting for terms like "unskilled at" or "inexperienced with" for greater precision. While versatile, avoid overuse in highly formal settings in favor of more sophisticated vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not adept at

Directly states a lack of skill or competence.

unskilled at

Focuses more directly on the lack of skill.

inexperienced with

Highlights a lack of experience rather than inherent crudeness.

unsophisticated in

Highlights a lack of refinement or polish.

deficient in

Emphasizes a lack or shortage of something.

rough around the edges with

Indicates imperfections and a lack of smoothness.

wanting in

A more formal and less common way to express a lack.

amateurish with

Suggests a lack of professional quality.

green at

Implies naivety and lack of experience in a specific field.

still learning

Suggests a temporary lack of skill due to being in the process of learning.

FAQs

How can I use "crude at" in a sentence?

You can use "crude at" to describe something lacking refinement or sophistication, for example, "His surgical techniques were "crude at" best during his early practice."

What does "crude at" mean?

"Crude at" implies something is basic, unrefined, or lacking sophistication. It suggests a lack of polish or finesse.

What can I say instead of "crude at"?

Alternatives to "crude at" include "unskilled at", "inexperienced with", or "amateurish with", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "crude at" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "crude at" might be too informal for certain formal contexts. Consider using more sophisticated synonyms like "lacking in sophistication" or "deficient in".