has been proficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been proficient" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's ongoing skill or competence in a particular area over a period of time. Example: "She has been proficient in multiple programming languages, which has greatly contributed to her success in the tech industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He has been proficient at slicing and dicing them; Senegal, with a population of around 13m, has over 150 parties.

The Economist

With the exception of that loss to Syracuse on Sept. 23, Princeton (20-1) has been proficient all season, posting eight shutouts and the best goals-against average in the nation (0.95).

The New York Times

Shankardass and Dunn [ 41] have recently argued that social epidemiology has been proficient in describing patterns in neighbourhood inequalities but has been less capable at fostering an understanding of how these effects relate to the social mechanisms of causation.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The Vikings have been proficient at stopping the run, but they have watched as the league has destroyed them through the air.

The New York Times

As the Yankees have motored to the best record in the major leagues, they have been proficient at ending games in style.

The New York Times

I've been proficient in English since I was 16, but coming to the UK, going to university here, and talking to English people, has improved my accent and pronunciation.

The Guardian

According to a sign on the wall, "Boys as young as 8 or 9 would have been proficient in the use of all the tools dislayed here and would have been responsible for many carpentry repairs in their homes".

The New York Times

While the IRA had been proficient in smuggling, robbery, and racketeering since the 1970s, the Celtic Tiger economic boom of the 1990s had prompted the IRA to diversify into more sophisticated business enterprises.

The Guardian

The cable added: "While the IRA had been proficient in smuggling, robbery, and racketeering since the 1970s, the Celtic Tiger economic boom of the 1990s had prompted the IRA to diversify into more sophisticated business enterprises.

The Guardian

As an insurance agent I had been proficient and tidy in filling out the forms but less good in tipping the customers into the plunge that would bring a commission.

The New Yorker

Examiners sometime express concern that they feel less confident in assessing these stations, because of a relative lack of experience in contrast to the 'examination' stations, which assess skills which they all use and assess on a daily basis, and in which they have been proficient for many years.

BMC Medical Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been proficient" to describe someone's demonstrated and sustained ability in a particular area.

Common error

Avoid using "has been proficient" in contexts where a simpler term like "is good at" or "excels in" would suffice, particularly in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been proficient" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that someone or something has attained a high degree of skill or competence in a particular area over a period of time. Ludwig's examples show the phrase used to describe skills in English, sports, and various professional contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been proficient" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a demonstrated skill or competence that has been developed over time. Ludwig confirms its usage in various contexts, primarily in news, scientific publications and wikis. The related phrases provide alternative ways to express similar meanings, while the writing guidance helps to ensure effective and appropriate usage. Understanding these nuances allows for more precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has become skilled

Focuses on the result of acquiring the skill.

has grown adept

Implies a gradual increase in skill level.

has developed expertise

Highlights the development of specialized knowledge.

has mastered

Suggests a complete understanding and control.

has shown competence

Emphasizes the demonstrated ability to perform well.

has cultivated a talent

Implies that talent has been nurtured and refined.

has become capable

Indicates that person is now able to do something.

has acquired proficiency

Emphasizes the act of obtaining skill.

has polished skills

Implies refining existing abilities.

has become seasoned

Focuses on the practical experience.

FAQs

How can I use "has been proficient" in a sentence?

You can use "has been proficient" to describe someone's developed skill in a particular area, for example, "She "has been proficient" in data analysis since she took several online courses".

What are some alternatives to "has been proficient"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "has become skilled", "has developed expertise", or "has mastered".

Is it better to say "has been proficient" or "is proficient"?

"Has been proficient" implies a development of skill over time, while "is proficient" simply describes a current state of skill. Choose the phrase that best reflects the context you are describing.

Can "has been proficient" be used to describe an object or system?

Yes, "has been proficient" can describe an object or system, but it's more common to use it for people. For objects, consider using phrases like "has proven effective" or "has performed well".