is adept at

USAGE SUMMARY

"is adept at" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone's expertise or ability in a certain area. For example: "My colleague is adept at creating detailed financial reports."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Goode is adept at talent recruitment.

The New Yorker

And the N.F.L. is adept at correction.

The New York Times - Sports

The SMA is adept at both.

Harvard University

The FSB is adept at electronic surveillance.

The Guardian

Wang is adept at multi-channel conversations.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Ms. Chast is adept at the sarcastic.

The New York Times - Books

He is adept at schmoozing airline bosses and Pentagon colonels.

The Economist

My wife is adept at training both humans and animals!

The New York Times

But he is adept at winning over artists.

The New Yorker

It is adept at attributing the violence to others.

The Economist

Eton is adept at mocking and advertising itself simultaneously.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is adept at" when you want to emphasize someone's skill and proficiency in a specific area. It suggests a natural talent combined with learned expertise.

Common error

While "is adept at" is generally acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "is proficient in" or "possesses expertise in" for highly formal or academic writing to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is adept at" functions as an adjective phrase describing a subject's proficiency or skill. It modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a high level of competence. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

9%

Science

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is adept at" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe someone's proficiency or skill in a particular area. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is widely accepted and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives might be preferable for highly academic or scientific writing. Keep in mind that you can utilize alternatives such as "is proficient in", "is skilled at", and "excels in" depending on your writing goals.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is highly skilled in

Highlights a well-developed and refined skill set.

is skilled at

Emphasizes general competence and practical ability.

is proficient in

Focuses on the level of skill achieved, suggesting formal training or extensive experience.

is competent in

Indicates a satisfactory level of ability to perform tasks effectively.

is talented in

Highlights natural aptitude and giftedness.

excels in

Suggests a high degree of success and outstanding performance.

is experienced in

Stresses knowledge gained through practical involvement.

is brilliant at

Implies exceptional intelligence and creativity.

is masterful at

Conveys exceptional skill and expertise, almost artistry.

is capable of

Highlights the potential and ability to do something, rather than demonstrated skill.

FAQs

What does "is adept at" mean?

The phrase "is adept at" means someone is very skilled or proficient at doing something. It implies a high level of competence and natural ability.

How can I use "is adept at" in a sentence?

You can use "is adept at" to describe someone's skill in a particular area. For example, "She "is adept at" problem-solving" or "He "is adept at" managing complex projects".

What are some alternatives to "is adept at"?

Some alternatives include "is proficient in", "is skilled at", "is talented in", or "excels in depending on the context".

Is "is adept at" formal or informal?

The phrase "is adept at" is generally considered suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although in very formal writing, phrases like "is proficient in" may be preferred.