excel at

USAGE SUMMARY

"excel at" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that has a high level of skill or ability at something. Example sentence: My daughter excels at math, so she will likely do well in her upcoming exam.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The P3s excel at both.

Independent

New Yorkers excel at Schadenfreude.

The New Yorker

The Italians excel at hospitality.

The New York Times

Some people excel at spontaneity.

The New York Times - Health

Germany excel at common sense.

The Guardian - Sport

Excel at setting stretch goals.

Harvard Business Review

Many think he could excel at politics.

Independent

My generation happens to excel at waiting.

The New York Times

But no institution can excel at both.

The New Yorker

Jama did not excel at school.

The New Yorker

I enjoy and excel at public speaking.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "excel at", ensure you clearly specify the area or skill at which someone excels. For example, instead of just saying "She excels", specify "She excels at problem-solving".

Common error

Avoid using "excel at" without a clear object or context. Saying someone "excels at things" is too vague. Be specific about what they are good at to provide meaningful information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excel at" functions as a verb phrase indicating a high degree of competence or skill in a particular area. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is used to describe the subject's superior ability in a specific activity or field.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "excel at" is a versatile and grammatically sound verb phrase used to denote exceptional skill or ability in a specific domain. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. With a neutral register, it is appropriate for diverse contexts, including news, academia, and business. It is very common. When using this phrase, be specific about the area of expertise to avoid vagueness. Alternatives include "shine at" and "be proficient in". The phrase’s effectiveness lies in its clarity and emphasis on superior performance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shine at

This alternative uses a more figurative expression to convey exceptional performance.

be proficient in

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes skill and expertise.

be skilled in

This alternative highlights acquired expertise in a specific domain.

be adept in

This alternative suggests natural talent and ease in performing something.

triumph in

This alternative emphasizes success and victory in a particular area.

stand out in

This alternative focuses on being noticeably better than others.

be outstanding in

This alternative emphasizes exceptional quality and performance.

be distinguished in

This alternative highlights recognition and respect for one's abilities.

master

This alternative implies complete control and understanding of a subject.

do well in

This alternative is a more general way to express success in a certain area.

FAQs

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

You can use "excel at" to describe someone's high level of skill in a particular area. For example, "She excels at public speaking", or "The team excels at problem-solving".

What are some alternatives to "excel at"?

You can use alternatives like "shine at", "be proficient in", or "be skilled in" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "excel at" or "excel in"?

"Excel at" and "excel in" are often interchangeable, but "excel at" is more commonly used when referring to a specific skill or activity. "Excel in" can also refer to a broader field or subject. Both are grammatically correct.

What does it mean to "excel at" something?

To "excel at" something means to be very good at it, surpassing average performance and demonstrating a high level of skill and competence.