decreased proficiency

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decreased proficiency" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a reduction in skill or ability in a particular area or task. Example: "The training program was ineffective, leading to a noticeable decreased proficiency in the employees' performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Would you board a plane whose pilot had been approved to fly with a decreased proficiency?

Huffington Post

The bilingual lexical disadvantage hypotheses predict a negative shift of peak interference due to the relatively decreased proficiency of both the L2 and L1 in bilinguals compared to monolinguals.

Bilingualism

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Protocatechuate 4,5-dioxygenase (LigAB) catalyzes dioxygenation of multiple lignin derived aromatic compounds—such as protocatechuate (PCA), gallate (GA) and 3-O-methyl gallate (3OMG with decreasing proficiency as the molecule size increases.

Process Biochemistry

Legibility shows a similar decline with decreasing proficiency in all cases, indicating that calculated proficiencies correlate reasonably well with actual function.

Plosone

If decreasing proficiency results in an increased amount of time needed for lexical access, then this "negative shift" in interference effects should be even more pronounced: i.e. the negative shift should increase with decreasing proficiency.

Bilingualism

*Nurweni and Read's (1999) study on Indonesian university learners of English, however, showed a contrasting result in that the strength of correlations between a WAF and a word translation task gradually decreased from higher proficiency learners (.81) to the middle group (.43) and lower proficiency learners (.18).18

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

Both intended effort and anxiety were negatively related to perceived proficiency, that is to say, when students were anxious, or had a strong sense of intended effort, their perceived proficiency decreased.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

Of course, the number of incorrect responses decreased with increasing proficiency in mathematics.

BMC Psychiatry

Citizenship status has not previously been shown to be a determinant of mammography use; it may be related to predictors of mammography use found in other studies such as poorer language proficiency, decreased acculturation, and foreign birth [ 17- 19, 22, 24- 27, 29- 31], although language, education, and birthplace did not emerge as being particularly salient predictors in our study.

BMC Cancer

The trial found a nearly 20% reduction in practice time to reach proficiency using the CuSum curriculum but long-term effects of decreased practice volume on proficiency is unknown.

Journal of Surgical Education

The Urban Institute found that broadband in the home slightly decreased math and reading proficiency [PDF], while an experimental study in Portugal found the same for broadband in schools [PDF].

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "decreased proficiency", be specific about the area or skill affected and, if possible, quantify the decrease or its impact.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "decreased proficiency" without providing context. Instead, specify what skill is affected and the consequences of the decrease to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decreased proficiency" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "decreased" modifies the noun "proficiency". It indicates a reduction in skill or ability, as evidenced by Ludwig AI, which identifies it as grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "decreased proficiency" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a decline in skill or competence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. While primarily found in scientific and news media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, it is important to be specific about the area of reduced skill and, if possible, quantify the decrease for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduced skill level

Focuses on the level of skill being lower than before.

declining competence

Emphasizes the process of competence deteriorating.

diminished ability

Highlights the reduced capacity to perform a task.

impaired performance

Focuses on how the performance is negatively affected.

weakened expertise

Suggests that the level of expertise has become less strong.

eroded skill set

Indicates a gradual loss of skills.

lessened aptitude

Highlights a reduced natural talent or ability.

substandard capability

Emphasizes that the capability is below the required standard.

failing expertise

Similar to declining competence, but more direct.

compromised skill

Indicates that the skill is negatively impacted or impaired.

FAQs

How can I use "decreased proficiency" in a sentence?

You can use "decreased proficiency" to describe a decline in skill or ability. For example, "The lack of practice led to a "decreased proficiency" in playing the piano."

What are some alternatives to saying "decreased proficiency"?

Alternatives include "reduced skill level", "declining competence", or "diminished ability", depending on the specific context.

What causes "decreased proficiency"?

"Decreased proficiency" can result from various factors such as lack of practice, inadequate training, or cognitive decline. Identifying the cause is crucial for addressing the issue effectively.

Is it better to say "decreased proficiency" or "reduced proficiency"?

Both "decreased proficiency" and "reduced proficiency" are acceptable. The choice depends on personal preference, as they convey essentially the same meaning. However, "decreased" might suggest a more gradual decline.