excels

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "excels" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone or something that is superior to others in a particular field or situation. For example, "John excels at sports and always wins the championships".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Called bouldering – after the boulders it is practised on – it's become a sport in its own right and one in which one of the two Dawn Wall climbers, Kevin Jorgeson, excels.

The Guardian

Britain excels in technological innovation, but has relatively few world-beating hi-tech companies.

The Guardian - Opinion

THERE IS A global trade at which Britain excels.

The Economist

Its joint leader, Oskar Lafontaine, once finance minister under Mr Schröder, excels as a simplifier.

The Economist

"Good sir, please help me save my family fortune from rapacious government officials... ...... Internet fraud is far from unique to Nigeria but the west African nation excels at these particular swindles, which predate the internet but have been transformed by it.

The Economist

IF THERE is one thing Congress excels at, it is finishing its tasks late and over budget.

The Economist

Graphic design, advertising, film production, even aerospace: in such industries, in which Britain excels, India is rising, and as the irreversible logic of globalisation unfolds, so global competition will increase.

The Economist

Israel excels at creating start-ups, but is less good at turning them into big companies.

The Economist

In the 1980s, Société Générale was a pioneer in the development of sophisticated equity derivatives, based on the complex mathematics in which the elite French education system excels.

The Economist

This Asian market has made Mr Sandel a god in the otherwise empty pantheon of bestselling academics.But it is on the stage that he excels.

The Economist

Online services have always been a bit of an afterthought to what the company excels at: pricey but highly innovative bundles of hardware and software, of which the iPhone is only the latest example.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "excels" to highlight superior performance or skill in a specific area. It adds emphasis and clarity to your writing. For instance, "She excels in mathematics, consistently achieving top scores."

Common error

Don't use "excels" in overly broad statements where specific strengths should be highlighted. Instead of saying "The company excels", specify what the company does exceptionally well, such as "The company excels in customer service".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "excels" is that of a verb, specifically the third-person singular present tense form. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes the action of surpassing others or being exceptionally good at something. For example, "She excels in mathematics".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Academic

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "excels" is a verb used to describe someone or something that is exceptionally good or surpasses others in a particular area. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. It is commonly used in news and media, formal business contexts, and scientific writing to highlight superior performance or skill. While alternatives like ""stands out"" or ""surpasses"" can be used, "excels" provides a clear and concise way to express excellence. Remember to use it when you want to emphasize exceptional ability and outstanding results.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surpasses

Emphasizes exceeding a certain level or standard.

stands out

Focuses on being noticeably better than others.

outperforms

Directly compares performance against others, indicating superior results.

shines

Implies a bright, exceptional quality.

is exceptional

Emphasizes rarity and remarkable quality.

is preeminent

Highlights a superior rank or position.

is distinguished

Suggests notable and respected excellence.

demonstrates mastery

Indicates complete competence and skill in a particular area.

is adept

Highlights skill or proficiency in a particular area.

is proficient

Similar to adept, but may imply a more formal or trained skill set.

FAQs

How can I use "excels" in a sentence?

Use "excels" to describe someone or something that performs exceptionally well in a particular area. For example, "This program "excels" at data analysis."

What are some alternatives to "excels"?

Alternatives to "excels" include "stands out", "surpasses", and "outperforms". Choose the word that best fits the context.

Is it correct to say "excels at" or "excels in"?

Both "excels at" and "excels in" are grammatically correct, but "excels at" is generally preferred when referring to a specific skill or activity, while "excels in" is used for broader areas. For example, "She "excels at" public speaking" and "The company "excels in" innovation."

What is the difference between "excels" and "performs well"?

"Excels" implies a higher degree of skill or success compared to "performs well". While "performs well" suggests competence, "excels" indicates exceptional ability and outstanding results.