is proficient in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is proficient in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's skill or expertise in a particular area or subject. Example: "She is proficient in multiple programming languages, which makes her a valuable asset to the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The other subject also agreed in his/her proficiency in state diagrams and totally agreed that he/she is proficient in other system modeling languages.

Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development

He is proficient in Swahili and Spanish.

University of California, Berkeley

Any highly educated native speaker is proficient in MSA.

Columbia University

New York is an international city; not everyone is proficient in English.

The New York Times

Like Raz, he comes from a Mizrahi family, and he is proficient in Arabic.

The New Yorker

After two years of living and working in China, Ms. Berman is proficient in Mandarin.

The New York Times

David has worked and lived in China, Hong Kong and Vietnam and is proficient in Mandarin.

Harvard University

She has lived in Mexico, Nicaragua, Greece, France, Russia and Israel and is proficient in Russian and French.

The New York Times - Magazine

Everard also earned an MBA from Manchester Business School, and is proficient in Chinese, Spanish, German, Russian, and French.

Stanford University

It is proficient in categorizing projects with status highlighted as well as to allocate relevant parties and timeline.

Advances in Building Technology Proceedings of the International Conference on Advances in Building Technology 4–6 December 2002, Hong Kong, China

He is 7 feet 3 inches with the shooting touch and passing ability that have come to define European players, and he is proficient in the post.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing skills, specify the context in which someone is "proficient in" to provide clarity and demonstrate relevance. For example, "She is proficient in data analysis software" is more informative than "She is proficient."

Common error

Avoid claiming someone "is proficient in" a skill without providing concrete examples or evidence. Instead of saying "He is proficient in project management", offer specifics like "He is proficient in project management, having successfully led five projects to completion within budget and timeline."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is proficient in" functions as a predicate adjective describing the subject's level of skill or competence in a specific domain. As indicated by Ludwig, it is suitable for describing someone's expertise.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

26%

Science

23%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is proficient in" is a versatile and widely used expression for describing competence and expertise. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. As shown by the examples, it appears frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts, signifying a neutral to formal register. When using "is proficient in", ensure you provide sufficient context and avoid overstating proficiency without evidence. Alternatives like "is skilled in", "is adept at", and "has expertise in" offer similar meanings with slight variations in nuance. By following these guidelines, you can effectively and accurately communicate someone's skills and capabilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is skilled in

Focuses on learned ability and expertise.

is adept at

Emphasizes natural talent and quickness in learning.

is competent in

Highlights the ability to perform tasks adequately.

has expertise in

Stresses specialized knowledge and mastery.

is knowledgeable about

Focuses on possessing information and understanding.

is experienced with

Highlights practical involvement and familiarity.

excels at

Implies a high degree of achievement and performance.

is masterful in

Conveys exceptional skill and control.

is well-versed in

Emphasizes thorough knowledge and deep understanding.

is qualified in

Highlights formal training and certification.

FAQs

How can I use "is proficient in" in a sentence?

Use "is proficient in" to describe someone's high level of skill or competence in a particular area. For example, "She is proficient in several programming languages" or "He is proficient in financial analysis".

What are some alternatives to "is proficient in"?

You can use alternatives such as "is skilled in", "is adept at", or "has expertise in" to express similar meanings.

Is it better to say "is proficient at" or "is proficient in"?

"Is proficient in" is generally preferred and more common when referring to skills or areas of expertise. While "is proficient at" isn't incorrect, it's less frequently used in formal writing.

What does it mean when someone is described as "proficient"?

When someone is described as "proficient", it means they have a high degree of competence and skill in a particular area. They can perform tasks effectively and efficiently.