Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
extend competence
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "extend competence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express the idea of broadening or enhancing someone's skills or abilities. Example: "The training program is designed to extend competence in project management among team members."
✓ Grammatically correct
Formal & Business
Science
News & Media
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
It would extend competence and not provide a proportionate, tailored response to improve global tax transparency".
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
Like Wackerbarth [ 24], we found that many carers view themselves as competent in relation to services decision making and want information that will extend that competence.
Though the Lisbon Treaty does not give them power over E.U. foreign policy, it does extend their competence over the E.U.'s budget and staffing rules.
News & Media
Third, and perhaps most strikingly, the positive effects were experienced by a wide range of people including: professionals attending the course to extend their competence; family members/friends attending the course to deal with a pressing problem in their network; and individuals who themselves had experienced mental health problems.
Science
The high prevalence of depression, the extent of associated disability and the likelihood of its co-occurrence with other medical conditions provide a strong rationale for developing the capability and extending the competence of health care providers, particularly within the primary care workforce.
Science
No one tries to explain the bird's competences (and birds' natural competences extend far beyond this trivial example) purely in terms of the bird's perceptual experience.
Science
In addition to their responsibilities in conservation and fisheries management, CCSBT, IATTC, ICCAT and IOTC facilitate the data collection, collation, processing and dissemination, stock assessment, other research and their co-ordination for their areas of competence and some of them, also in adjacent waters to which the stocks extend from their area of competence.
"I have been through most things in life," Gordon once declared – except, perhaps, extended periods of competence.
News & Media
The competence set model is inspired by the competence bloc theory (Eliasson 2000), but as the competence bloc theory was mainly constructed to better understand and explain business growth in biotechnology, it needs to be extended with additional competences to provide an analytical tool for broader scrutiny of Triple Helix constellations.
Science
While WHO's treaty-making power is expressed in general terms to extend to any matter within its competence, its power to make regulations extends to specific, enumerated areas [ 55, 132].
Science
Concern for talent needs to extend well past the recruitment and retention of competence to the availability to perform physically, emotionally and mentally.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When aiming to "extend competence", be specific about the areas of competence being developed. For example, instead of 'extend competence,' specify 'extend competence in data analysis'.
Common error
Avoid using "extend competence" without clearly defining the specific competence being extended. Vague statements can lead to ambiguity and a lack of clear objectives.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "extend competence" functions as a verb phrase + noun construction. It typically indicates the act of broadening or enhancing existing capabilities or skills. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of the phrase. For example, training courses are often designed to extend competence in particular areas.
Frequent in
Science
33%
News & Media
33%
Formal & Business
33%
Less common in
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "extend competence" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that signifies the act of broadening or enhancing skills. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most commonly found in professional, scientific, and news-related contexts. While not a highly frequent phrase, it is valuable for clearly communicating the goal of improving specific abilities. For alternative phrasing, consider "expand competence", "enhance competence", or "develop expertise". When using "extend competence", be sure to specify the particular area of competence you aim to develop to avoid ambiguity.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
expand competence
Replaces "extend" with "expand", suggesting a broadening of existing competence.
broaden competence
Substitutes "extend" with "broaden", emphasizing a widening of skills.
enhance competence
Uses "enhance" instead of "extend", highlighting the improvement of competence.
deepen competence
Emphasizes making competence more profound or thorough.
develop competence
Focuses on the gradual growth and improvement of competence.
improve competence
Highlights making competence better or more effective.
increase competence
Focuses on the augmentation of competence levels.
advance competence
Highlights progress and forward movement in competence.
build upon competence
Implies adding new skills and knowledge to existing competence.
cultivate competence
Suggests nurturing and developing competence over time.
FAQs
How can I use "extend competence" in a sentence?
You can use "extend competence" to describe the action of improving or broadening skills. For instance, "The workshop aims to extend competence in project management." Consider alternatives like "enhance skills" or "broaden expertise" depending on the specific context.
What's a good alternative to "extend competence"?
Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "expand skills", "improve abilities", or "develop expertise". Each carries a slightly different nuance, so choose the one that best fits your intended meaning.
Is it more appropriate to say "extend competence in" or "extend competence at"?
Both "extend competence in" and "extend competence at" are acceptable, but "extend competence in" is generally preferred and more common. It's often followed by a specific area of expertise. For example, "extend competence in data analysis".
What is the difference between "extend competence" and "acquire competence"?
"Extend competence" implies building upon existing skills or knowledge, whereas "acquire competence" suggests gaining new skills or knowledge. If you already have some ability and want to improve it, use "extend competence". If you're starting from scratch, use "acquire competence".
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested