good at doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "good at doing" is correct and is usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's ability to do a certain task. For example: "I am good at doing math problems".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"And they're good at doing it".

The New York Times - Sports

I'm just not good at doing both.

The New York Times

I'm very good at doing the impossible".

The New York Times - Magazine

Graduates are very good at doing that".

The Guardian - Tech

It was just good at doing deals.

The Guardian - Business

He had never been good at doing it this way.

The New Yorker

American medicine is not good at doing nothing.

The New York Times

Victors & Spoils is exceedingly good at doing just that.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I'm not good at doing that stuff," Johnson said.

The New York Times - Sports

And boy, are moviemakers good at doing that.

The New York Times - Books

It means being extraordinarily good at doing something.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "good at doing", ensure the gerund (doing) accurately reflects the action or activity being described. For example, "She is good at doing research" is more precise than "She is good at things".

Common error

Avoid using other prepositions in place of "at" such as "in" or "for". Saying "good in doing" or "good for doing" is grammatically incorrect. Always use "good at doing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "good at doing" functions as a subject complement, specifically an adjectival phrase, that describes the subject's ability or skill in performing a certain action. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its descriptive capacity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

13%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "good at doing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express competence in performing an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for describing someone's abilities across a wide array of activities. While versatile, it's crucial to use the correct preposition "at" and to ensure the gerund accurately reflects the intended action. By exploring Ludwig's examples and related phrases, you can refine your understanding and application of "good at doing" in various contexts, enhancing the clarity and effectiveness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skilled at doing

Replaces "good" with "skilled", emphasizing expertise.

proficient at doing

Uses "proficient" to suggest a high level of competence.

adept at doing

Employs "adept" to highlight natural ability and quickness.

talented at doing

Indicates innate talent rather than learned skill.

capable of doing well

More verbose, focusing on the capacity for success.

excels at doing

Highlights exceptional performance.

has a knack for doing

Suggests a natural, intuitive ability.

is competent in doing

Focuses on the ability to perform adequately.

strong at doing

Implies a robust capability in the activity.

expert at doing

Highlights specialized knowledge and skill.

FAQs

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

You can use "good at doing" to describe someone's proficiency in an activity. For example, "He is "good at doing" presentations" or "They are "good at doing" teamwork".

What are some alternatives to "good at doing"?

Alternatives include "skilled at doing", "proficient at doing", or "adept at doing", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "good in doing" instead of "good at doing"?

No, "good in doing" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is always ""good at doing"".

What's the difference between "good at doing" and "good at being"?

"Good at doing" refers to proficiency in a specific action or task, while "good at being" describes a general quality or characteristic. For instance, "good at doing math" versus "good at being a friend".