he is competent

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'He is competent' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it any time you need to describe someone's ability or skills. For example, 'John has been with the company for many years, and his experience and skills have made him a competent leader.'.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

He is competent, respectful, dedicated — and liked".

The New Yorker

With Putin it's clear he is competent.

The New York Times

But they still maintain that they believe he is competent.

The New York Times

"My finding still remains that he is competent and ready to go," Judge Hittner said Wednesday.

The New York Times

But he is competent and, vitally, he appears almost genetically incapable of overstating a case.

The Economist

Two other experts are just as convinced that he is competent.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

The Indiana Supreme Court held that Mr. Edwards's competency to stand trial meant that he was competent to represent himself.

The New York Times

One, because he was competent.

The New Yorker

He was competent, knowledgeable and likeable enough.

The Guardian

He was competent but rarely confident.

The Guardian - Music

"I want to be sure he's competent," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "he is competent", be specific about the areas in which he demonstrates competence to provide a clearer picture of his abilities.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "he is competent" without providing context. This can sound vague and insincere. Instead, specify the skills or areas where he excels to make your assessment more impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is competent" functions primarily as a declarative statement, attributing a quality of capability to a male subject. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase is used to assess an individual's skills in various professional and personal contexts, which confirms the statement about ability or skill.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he is competent" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe someone's proficiency and capability. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's accurate for written English and suitable for varied scenarios like news reports, professional assessments, and general discussions. To enhance its impact, specify the area where competence is displayed. While alternatives like "he is capable" and "he is skilled" exist, "he is competent" remains a direct and widely understood way to convey someone's ability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is capable

Focuses on the inherent ability to do something, rather than proven skill.

he is proficient

Emphasizes a high degree of skill and expertise.

he is skilled

Highlights the possession of specific skills relevant to a task.

he is qualified

Indicates that he has the necessary qualifications or credentials.

he is adept

Suggests a natural talent or quickness in learning and performing.

he is effective

Focuses on the ability to produce the desired result.

he is efficient

Highlights the ability to perform tasks without wasting resources.

he is masterful

Conveys a very high level of skill, almost artistic in nature.

he is experienced

Focuses on the knowledge and skills gained from past experiences.

he is knowledgeable

Emphasizes the breadth and depth of his understanding in a particular area.

FAQs

How can I use "he is competent" in a sentence?

You can use "he is competent" to describe someone's ability or skill in a particular area. For example, "Despite his inexperience, he is competent in handling complex tasks".

What can I say instead of "he is competent"?

You can use alternatives like "he is capable", "he is proficient", or "he is skilled" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "he is competent" or "he is competence"?

"He is competent" is correct. "Competent" is an adjective that describes someone's ability. "Competence" is a noun referring to the quality of being competent.

What's the difference between "he is competent" and "he is adequate"?

"He is competent" suggests a satisfactory level of skill and ability, while "he is adequate" implies a minimum level of acceptability, suggesting that he is just 'good enough'.