he excels

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he excels" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means that the person referred to is very good at something or performs exceptionally well. Example: John is a natural athlete and he excels in every sport he tries.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He excels at evasion.

The New Yorker

He excels only at explanation.

The Washington Post

But he excels at blocking.

The New York Times - Sports

He excels at blocking balls.

The New York Times - Sports

Even when Pujols struggles, he excels.

The New York Times - Sports

And he excels at striking visual presentations.

The New York Times - Food

He excels at humiliating the opponent.

The New Yorker

In Foxy-T he excels himself.

The Guardian - Books

He excels at creating empathetic female characters.

The Guardian - Books

But it is in fur that he excels.

The New York Times

Another sport in which Greg Smith reminds us he excels.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he excels" to clearly communicate someone's exceptional ability or performance in a specific area. This phrase effectively conveys a high level of competence.

Common error

Avoid using "he excels" too generally. Always specify the area in which the person excels to provide clarity and impact. For example, instead of just saying "he excels", specify "he excels at negotiation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he excels" functions as a statement of capability, denoting a high degree of competence or skill in a particular area. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

18%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he excels" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that describes someone's exceptional skill or performance. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's suitable for a variety of contexts, though most common in news and media. When using this phrase, it's important to specify the area in which the person excels for maximum impact. Alternatives include "he is proficient" and "he is adept", which offer similar but subtly different connotations. By understanding its nuances and appropriate usage, you can effectively communicate someone's outstanding abilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is proficient

Focuses on competence and skill level.

he is adept

Highlights skillful performance, especially with ease.

he is skilled

Emphasizes possessing expertise and ability.

he is outstanding

Stresses exceptional quality or performance.

he is remarkable

Highlights being worthy of attention due to uncommonness.

he is distinguished

Suggests recognized excellence and honor.

he is masterful

Indicates having comprehensive skill and command.

he is a master

Implies expert level achievement.

he is preeminent

Highlights superiority, standing out above all others.

he is unsurpassed

Implies unmatched performance.

FAQs

How can I use "he excels" in a sentence?

Use "he excels" to describe someone who is exceptionally good at something. For instance, "He excels in mathematics" indicates his superior ability in math.

What are some alternatives to "he excels"?

You can use alternatives like "he is proficient", "he is adept", or "he is skilled" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "he excels at" or "he excels in"?

Both "he excels at" and "he excels in" are grammatically correct, but "he excels at" is generally more common when referring to specific skills or activities, while "he excels in" is used for broader areas or subjects.

What is the difference between "he excels" and "he succeeds"?

"He excels" implies exceptional skill or performance, while "he succeeds" simply means he achieves a desired outcome. Someone can succeed without excelling, and vice versa.