excellent at

USAGE SUMMARY

"excellent at" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that performs or does something very well. For example, "She is excellent at baking cakes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They were excellent at it.

The New York Times

GE is excellent at this.

The Economist

General McChrystal was excellent at his job.

The New York Times

Newcastle were excellent at the game's start.

Independent

Usually Melitsa is excellent at fixing things.

The New York Times

All are excellent at telling fibs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Some are excellent at depicting colors.

The New York Times - Travel

BET is excellent at representing black people.

The Guardian

"But our relationship with George was excellent at all times.

The New York Times - Sports

Staff was excellent at lunch but untrained at dinner.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

He works excellent at-bats..

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing broad capabilities, consider using alternatives like "proficient" or "adept".

Common error

Avoid using "excellent at" when describing general qualities. Instead of saying "He is excellent at being a leader", specify the skills that make him an effective leader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excellent at" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a high level of skill or competence in a specific area. As Ludwig indicates, it's a standard and accepted English construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "excellent at" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone's high level of skill or proficiency in a specific area. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's widely accepted in English. It appears frequently in various contexts, including news, science, and business, making it a versatile choice for highlighting expertise. While "excellent at" is broadly applicable, it's best used to describe specific skills rather than general qualities. Alternatives like "proficient in" or "adept at" can be used to add variety or nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excels in

Uses a verb to describe the act of performing exceptionally well.

highly skilled in

Adds emphasis to the level of skill.

adept at

Highlights natural talent and quickness in performing.

skilled in

Similar to proficient, but emphasizes learned ability.

expert in

Focuses on having specialized knowledge and ability.

proficient in

Focuses on skill level rather than overall excellence.

talented in

Emphasizes innate ability or gift.

accomplished in

Suggests a high level of achievement through skill.

masterful in

Implies complete control and expertise.

shines at

More informal way to express outstanding performance.

FAQs

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

Use "excellent at" to describe someone's high proficiency in a particular skill or activity. For example, "She is "excellent at public speaking"."

What are some alternatives to "excellent at"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "proficient in", "skilled in", or "adept at".

Is it better to say "excellent in" or "excellent at"?

"Excellent at" is generally preferred when referring to a specific skill or activity. "Excellent in" can be used for broader areas, but "excellent at" is more common and direct.

What does it mean when someone is described as "excellent at" something?

It means they possess a high degree of skill, competence, or talent in that particular area. They perform the activity very well and often exceed expectations.