less proficient in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less proficient in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone’s lower level of skill or ability in a particular area compared to others. Example: "She is less proficient in mathematics than her classmates, which is why she seeks extra help."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

This would be especially interesting for the case of Taiwan Min because speaker gender generally covaries with language proficiency and females tend to be less proficient in Min than males (Huang and Fon 2007).

Lingua Sinica

The test showed that American students are less proficient in history than in any other subject over all.

The New York Times

By mid-century, half the planet is expected to be more or less proficient in English, compared to roughly 12percentt now.

The New York Times

The students with parents who are less proficient in English will feel frustrated and possibly embarrassed, causing tension and wasting time and energy.

The New York Times

The director general of the I.A.E.A., Mohamed ElBaradei, has for years been in an often bitter public dispute with the Bush Administration; the agency's most recent report found that Iran was far less proficient in enriching uranium than expected.

The New Yorker

American students are less proficient in their nation's history than in any other subject, according to results of a nationwide test released on Tuesday, with most fourth graders unable to say why Abraham Lincoln was an important figure and few high school seniors able to identify China as the North Korean ally that fought American troops during the Korean War.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

They were not bad decisions to honour the Everyman theatre in Liverpool in 2014, or the Sainsbury Laboratory in Cambridge in 2012, but on both occasions the prize jury passed up on braver, stronger, richer, more boundary-pushing, heart-stirring and no less proficient works, in the Hepworth gallery in Wakefield and the Saw Swee Hock student centre for the London School of Economics.

The Guardian - Arts

Men's erections in older age may not be as upright as those of a 20-year-old, but this does not make them less proficient lovers; in fact, their experience, knowledge and better communication skills should make them far better.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Likewise, it would be simplistic to directly link reduced levels of DNA-PK subunits and consequently less proficient NHEJ in AD brains to neurodegeneration.

Alzheimer's Research and Therapy

Finally, our previous work suggested the existence of a right hemisphere analogue to the so-called "visual word form area" [47] that is selectively active in the less proficient language, or in any task in which reading words is more difficult [14], [15], [48], [49].

Plosone

Furthermore, the fact that regions such as right LOT showed significant new>old effects in the less proficient Spanish, but not in English, indicates that this region is performing a process that is modulated by language proficiency.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less proficient in", clearly specify the area or skill where the deficiency exists to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, "less proficient in data analysis".

Common error

Avoid assuming that someone who is "less proficient in" one area is generally incompetent. Proficiency is often specific to a particular skill or subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less proficient in" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, describing a lower level of skill or competence in a specific area. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from language proficiency to technical skills.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less proficient in" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a lower level of skill or ability in a particular area. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, from formal writing to general discussions. When using this phrase, it's essential to specify the area of deficiency to provide clear context. While "less proficient in" is generally neutral, it's important to avoid making assumptions about overall competence based on a single skill. Alternative phrases, such as "not as skilled in" or "weaker in", can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as skilled in

Replaces "less proficient" with a more straightforward comparison of skill level.

weaker in

Uses a different adjective to describe a lower level of ability.

lacking expertise in

Emphasizes the absence of specialized knowledge or skill.

not adept at

Replaces "proficient" with "adept", indicating a lack of natural skill.

less competent in

Substitutes "proficient" with "competent", highlighting a lower level of capability.

not as capable in

Similar to "not as skilled", but uses "capable" to describe the ability to do something.

struggling with

Indicates difficulty and a lack of ease in performing a task.

deficient in

Highlights a lack of necessary qualities or skills.

relatively unskilled in

Adds "relatively" to emphasize the comparison of skill levels.

not particularly strong in

Uses "strong" as a measure of ability, indicating a weaker area.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "less proficient in" to sound more positive?

You can use phrases like "still developing skills in", "working on improving in", or "gaining experience in" to convey a sense of progress and potential.

Is it appropriate to use "less proficient in" in formal writing?

Yes, "less proficient in" is suitable for formal writing. However, consider the audience and context. In some cases, a more specific or nuanced term might be preferable.

What's the difference between "less proficient in" and "inexperienced in"?

"Less proficient in" implies a lower level of skill compared to others, while "inexperienced in" suggests a lack of exposure or practice. Someone can be "less proficient in" something even with some experience.

How to use "less proficient in" in a sentence?

You can use "less proficient in" to compare skills. For example, "She is less proficient in Spanish than her brother", or to describe a skill level: "He is less proficient in coding than he is in graphic design".