good at being

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "good at being" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's proficiency or skill in a particular role or behavior. Example: "She is really good at being a team leader, always motivating her colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

She's good at being briefed.

The New Yorker

The city is good at being pragmatic.

The Economist

She's really good at being good.

The New Yorker

We've become very good at being distracted.

The New Yorker

"The Japanese people are good at being patient, but not very good at being angry.

The New York Times

He hasn't been good at being alone.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Cougars are very good at being discreet".

The New York Times

They are good at being corrupt.

The Guardian

Is she good at being alone?

The Guardian - Film

They seem quite good at being scary.

The New York Times

Muhammad Yunus is good at being calm.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "good at being", ensure that the action or state following 'being' is clearly defined. For example, "She is good at being a leader" is clearer than "She is good at being."

Common error

Avoid using "good at being" without specifying what someone is good at. Saying "He's good at being" lacks context and can confuse the reader. Instead, specify the activity or role: "He's good at being a problem solver."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "good at being" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe someone's skill or competence in a particular role or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct. Examples include "She's really good at being good" or "The city is good at being pragmatic."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "good at being" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe proficiency or skill in a particular role or behavior. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, primarily in news and media. While adaptable to both formal and informal settings, clarity is key – ensure the action or state following 'being' is well-defined to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "skilled at being" or "adept at being" can offer nuanced variations. Steer clear of omitting the specification of what someone is "good at being" to maintain coherence and relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adept at existing

Replaces 'good' with 'adept' and 'being' with 'existing', slightly altering the nuance to emphasize skill in existence.

proficient in acting

Substitutes 'good' with 'proficient', emphasizing a high degree of skill, and replaces 'being' with 'acting' to specify the skill.

skilled in the art of living

Replaces "good at being" with a more figurative expression, emphasizing expertise in navigating life.

competent in the role of

Emphasizes competence within a specific role or function, providing a more formal tone than "good at being".

capable of performing

Focuses on the ability to execute or perform a task effectively, replacing "good at being" with a more direct expression of capability.

talented at embodying

Uses 'talented' to highlight a natural aptitude and 'embodying' to suggest a deep connection to the action or role.

excels in the realm of

This alternative replaces "good at being" with a more emphatic expression of excelling in a particular area or field.

strong in the area of

Emphasizes strength or capability within a particular domain or subject.

masterful in the practice of

Replaces 'good' with 'masterful', indicating a very high level of skill and control.

effective in carrying out

Highlights effectiveness in executing or implementing a task, shifting the focus to outcomes.

FAQs

How can I use "good at being" in a sentence?

Use "good at being" to describe someone's proficiency or skill in a particular role or behavior. For example, "She is really "good at being" a team leader, always motivating her colleagues."

What are some alternatives to "good at being"?

You can use alternatives like "skilled at being", "adept at being", or "proficient at being" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "good at being" or "good at to be"?

"Good at being" is correct. The phrase "good at" is followed by a gerund (a verb form ending in -ing that functions as a noun). Therefore, "being" is the appropriate form.

Is it better to say "good at being" or "good at doing"?

The choice between "good at being" and "good at doing" depends on the context. "Good at being" is generally used to describe a state or role, while "good at doing" is used to describe an action or task. For instance, "good at being a parent" vs. "good at doing math".