is at playing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is at playing" is not correct and usable in written English.
It is not a standard construction in English and does not convey a clear meaning. Example: "He is at playing the piano beautifully."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

'Tunes With Tina' (Sunday) That's Tina deVaron, a jazz musician and singer who's reputed to be as skilled at pleasing children as she is at playing the piano.

The New York Times - Arts

And though he's dedicated to the craft and body language of singing, he's nowhere near as gifted at it as he is at playing the guitar.

The New York Times - Arts

Wherever it is computer games go next, it's clear that the UK, which houses 1,900 development studios, is as good at creating games as it is at playing them – from Manic Miner to Moshi Monsters.

Independent

Friday at 10 a.m.; Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.; 566 La Guardia Place, at Washington Square South, Greenwich Village, [phone], skirballcenter.nyu.edu; $15 to $25. 'Tunes With Tina' (Sunday) That's Tina deVaron, a jazz musician and singer who's reputed to be as skilled at pleasing children as she is at playing the piano.

The New York Times - Arts

As flawless as he is at playing cold-hearted bad guys, his kindness and good-natured generosity override everything that would make a person believe he is anything less than an angel.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

What kind of censorship is at play?

The New York Times

Bitter widespread poverty is at play.

Independent

What else is at play?

The Washington Post

A lot of capital is at play.

University of California, Berkeley

Yet something larger is at play here.

The Washington Post

However, perhaps something else is at play.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is playing" or "is engaged in playing" instead of "is at playing" to ensure grammatical correctness.

Common error

Don't insert "at" between "is" and a gerund (a verb ending in -ing) when describing an activity. The phrase "is playing" is sufficient and grammatically sound. "Is at" typically precedes a location or a state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is at playing" functions incorrectly as it attempts to combine the auxiliary verb "is" with a preposition "at" before a gerund. This construction does not adhere to standard English grammar, as noted by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is at playing" is grammatically incorrect and not recognized as standard English. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it is not a usable phrase in written English. Instead, use "is playing" or rephrase to express the intended meaning correctly, such as "is skilled at playing". Due to its incorrectness, it is absent from authoritative sources and unsuitable for formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is playing

This is the grammatically correct form, omitting the unnecessary "at".

is engaged in playing

This adds formality and emphasizes active participation.

is skilled at playing

This focuses on proficiency or expertise in playing.

excels at playing

This highlights exceptional talent or performance.

is adept at playing

Similar to "skilled at", but with a slightly more sophisticated tone.

is competent at playing

Implies a satisfactory level of skill without necessarily excelling.

is proficient in playing

Indicates a high degree of competence and knowledge.

is talented at playing

Highlights a natural aptitude or gift for playing.

is remarkable at playing

Suggests that someone's playing abilities are worthy of attention.

is outstanding at playing

Implies that someone's playing abilities are above what is expected.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say someone is currently playing?

The correct way to say someone is currently playing is "is playing". The construction "is at playing" is grammatically incorrect.

What can I say instead of "is at playing" to describe someone's skill?

To describe someone's skill, you could say they are "skilled at playing", "adept at playing", or even simply that they "are playing" well. The phrase depends on the nuances of the skill you're trying to express.

Is there any situation where "is at" can be followed by a verb ending in "-ing"?

The phrase "is at" is usually followed by a noun or noun phrase indicating a location or state. To use a verb, you'd say someone "is good at playing" or "is present at the playing of the game", where "playing" is part of a noun phrase. It's rarely correct to say "is at playing".

Which is correct, "is playing" or "is at playing"?

"Is playing" is the correct grammatical form. The phrase "is at playing" is not standard English.