its competent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "its competent" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "it's competent" or "its competence"? You can use "it's competent" when describing something that has the necessary ability or skill to perform a task effectively. Example: "The software is competent enough to handle complex calculations without any issues."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The current-generation Malibu arrived to lukewarm notices, with many critics praising its competent performance and value while likening it to a bland kitchen appliance with hardly a trace of personality.

The New York Times

Destructoid (6/10) is less certain, finding nothing new in its competent mix of strategic battle and exploration.

The Guardian - Tech

Most EU leaders praised Sweden's centre-right government for its competent stewardship.But Mr Reinfeldt's voters are less happy.

The Economist

Public approval of the broadcaster is fairly high, not least thanks to its competent handling of the Olympic games.

The Economist

For all its competent stewardship, China's government runs a country where the average citizen is only about 15% as rich as the average American.

The Economist

Thanks to its competent financial regulators, market-friendly economy and sound fiscal management, the country has outperformed the rest of South-East Asia in the two years since investors fled the region.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

On the basis of its many competent vectors, its potential for aerosol transmission, and its progressive spread from East Africa to neighboring regions between 1950 and 2000, RVFV is ranked as a high-priority, emerging health threat for humans, livestock, and wildlife in all parts of the world.

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Indeed, they can be applied to any intervention — however limited its aims, multilateral its means, and competent its commanders.

The New York Times

How long Bowa's team can stay there will inevitably have more to do with its suddenly competent pitching than its intestinal fortitude.

The New York Times - Sports

It's an incoherent effort, but its low opinion of officialdom and its nihilistic worldview meant its barely competent director, Carlo Croccolo, reached across the decades directly into my current anxieties in a way that Star Wars: The Force Awakens did not.

The Guardian - Opinion

The roads and traffic patterns allow it to make use of its extremely competent engine and suspension, cruising at speeds that would give you a lifetime of speeding tickets in the United States.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always double-check the correct use of "its" (possessive) and "it's" (contraction of "it is"). Using "it's competent" is grammatically correct when you mean "it is competent."

Common error

A common mistake is using the possessive "its" when the contraction "it's" (it is) is needed. Remember that "its" shows ownership, while "it's" is a shortened form of "it is" or "it has". For example, you should write "It's competent" (it is competent) and not "its competent".

Linguistic Context

The phrase, when intended to mean "it is competent", functions as a subject-verb-complement structure. However, as Ludwig AI points out, the phrase "its competent" is grammatically incorrect. The possessive pronoun "its" cannot be followed directly by an adjective.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

43%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "its competent" is generally grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. The proper form, if you intend to say "it is competent", is "it's competent". This correction is crucial for clear and effective communication. Remember that "its" indicates possession, whereas "it's" is a contraction of "it is". As Ludwig AI indicated, using the correct form ensures your writing maintains credibility and adheres to standard English grammar. While examples exist of the incorrect phrase in news and scientific sources, correcting this error is essential for professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's competent

Corrects the possessive "its" to the contraction "it's" (it is), forming a grammatically sound phrase.

its proficiency

Uses a noun to describe the quality of being skilled and knowledgeable.

its capability

Uses a noun to indicate the power or ability to do something.

its adeptness

Similar to proficiency, highlighting skill and dexterity.

its skillfulness

A synonym that focuses on the mastery of skills.

its level of competence

Replaces the adjective with a noun phrase indicating a degree of proficiency.

the entity's competence

Specifies that competence is related to some entity.

the system's competence

Attributes the competence to some system

possessing competence

Rephrases using a verb to describe the act of having competence

demonstrating competence

Changes the phrase to highlight the act of showing competence.

FAQs

When should I use "its" vs. "it's"?

"Its" indicates possession (e.g., "The dog wagged its tail"), while "it's" is a contraction of "it is" or "it has" (e.g., "It's raining" or "It's been a while").

Is "its competent" grammatically correct?

No, "its competent" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "it's competent", using the contraction "it's" to mean "it is competent."

What's a good alternative to "its competence"?

Alternatives include phrases like "its proficiency", "its capability", or "its skill", depending on the specific context.

How can I avoid errors when using "its" and "it's"?

To avoid errors, always check if you intend to say "it is" or "it has". If so, use "it's". Otherwise, use "its" to show possession.