good at running

USAGE SUMMARY

"good at running" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone's skill or proficiency in running. For example, "Sophie is really good at running; she often wins long-distance races."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

They were no good at running.

The New York Times

"I've always been good at running.

The New York Times - Sports

THOSE good at running money rarely run companies well.

The Economist

He might even be good at running it.

The Economist

What do you think makes you good at running ultras?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Which is unfortunate, because I'm really good at running baths.

The Guardian

I think I'd be pretty good at running the sport.

The Guardian - Sport

The reality, though, is that the man just isn't very good at running the country.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

You wouldn't know it but I'm very good at... running.

Independent

You wouldn't know it but I'm good at... running and swimming.

Independent

As a kid, I was always really good at running long distance at school but I didn't keep it up.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's skill in running, use "good at running" to indicate general competence. For more emphasis, consider alternatives like "proficient in running" or "excels in running."

Common error

Avoid substituting "at" with other prepositions like "in" or "on" when referring to skill in an activity. "Good at running" is the standard and grammatically correct form.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "good at running" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe someone's ability or skill in the activity of running. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples of usage in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

12%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "good at running" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe someone's competence in running. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is used across various contexts, including news, media, and academia. While there are alternative expressions to convey similar meanings, "good at running" remains a straightforward and effective way to express this idea. Remember to use the preposition "at" correctly, and consider the subtle differences in meaning when choosing alternative phrases for precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proficient in running

Replaces "good" with "proficient", indicating a higher level of skill.

skilled in running

Uses "skilled" instead of "good", emphasizing developed ability.

adept at running

Substitutes "good" with "adept", suggesting natural talent and ease.

talented at running

Replaces "good" with "talented", highlighting innate ability.

excels in running

Uses "excels" to indicate superior performance in running.

gifted in running

Emphasizes natural aptitude for running.

strong runner

Simplifies the phrase to a more direct adjective + noun construction.

has a knack for running

Suggests a natural inclination and ease in running.

fast runner

Focuses specifically on speed, a key aspect of running ability.

capable of running

Indicates the ability to perform running, though not necessarily at a high level.

FAQs

What are some alternative ways to say "good at running"?

You can use alternatives like "proficient in running", "skilled in running", or "adept at running" depending on the context and the degree of skill you want to convey.

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

No, "good in running" is not grammatically correct. The correct preposition to use is "at". Therefore, the correct phrase is "good at running".

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

You can use "good at running" to describe someone's ability or skill in running, such as "She is very good at running marathons" or "He is good at running sprints".

What is the difference between "good at running" and "fast runner"?

"Good at running" implies a general competence or skill in running, while "fast runner" specifically emphasizes speed as the primary characteristic. Someone might be "good at running" due to technique or endurance, not just speed.