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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
level of proficient
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "level of proficient" is not correct in English; it should be "level of proficiency." You can use it when discussing someone's skill or competence in a particular area, such as language or job performance.
Example: "Her level of proficiency in Spanish allows her to communicate effectively with native speakers."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Wiki
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
Students entering the fifth grade here are often several years behind in both subjects, but last year, 100 percent of seventh graders scored at a level of proficient or advanced on state standardized math tests.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
Complete your surf club's training Once you have passed your swimming proficiency test, your surf club will provide qualified instructors who will train you to the level of a proficient lifesaver they require.
Wiki
Colorado even opted to use its "partially proficient" level of academic performance as "proficient" for reporting purposes.
News & Media
Consistent with the ability of YFP-β1 to cotranslocate in A549 cells, qRT-PCR showed that these cells contain significant levels of translocation proficient γ11, γ10 and γ5 subunits and only one non-translocating γ subunit, γ12 (Fig. S4).
Science
The standards assist the RDN in nutrition support to distinguish his or her level of practice (competent, proficient, or expert) and would guide the RDN in creating a personal development plan to achieve increasing levels of knowledge, skill, and ability in nutrition support practice.
Providers are also required to remove students from the BPTC programme if it becomes apparent that the student is unable to demonstrate a proficient level of English".
News & Media
The State Legislature responded by reducing the level of achievement defined as proficient, and the next year the proportion of South Carolina schools missing targets dropped to 41 percent.
News & Media
It found, for example, that in elementary schools, about 79 percent of girls could read at a level deemed "proficient," compared with 72 percent of boys.
News & Media
Among children of parents with a low level of education, only 17% were proficient in maths, compared with 43% of children from well-educated families.
News & Media
In terms of mathematical formalism, any cellular system is maintained via a metastable state of a gene regulation network (GRN) that at the level of a single cell is proficient to restore the phenotypic heterogeneity of the whole system [72].
Science
Increasing the percentage of proficient students to the levels attained in Canada and Korea would increase the annual U.S. growth rate by 0.9 percentage points and 1.3 percentage points, respectively.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use the grammatically correct phrase "level of proficiency" instead of "level of proficient". Remember that "proficient" is an adjective, while "proficiency" is a noun.
Common error
Avoid using adjectives where nouns are required. In the phrase, use the noun "proficiency" instead of the adjective "proficient" to maintain correct grammatical structure.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "level of proficient" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement. However, it's grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI indicates, the correct form is "level of proficiency".
Frequent in
Science
33%
News & Media
33%
Wiki
33%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "level of proficient" aims to describe a degree of skill, it's grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI points out that the correct phrase is "level of proficiency". It's a rare phrase, found across various contexts like news, science and wikis. Remember to use the noun "proficiency" instead of the adjective "proficient" for grammatical accuracy. Consider alternatives like "degree of proficiency" or "skill level" for clarity and correctness.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
proficiency level
Inverts the phrase to "proficiency level" which is grammatically correct and commonly used in educational and professional settings.
degree of proficiency
Uses "degree" instead of "level", emphasizing the extent of skill, and replaces "proficient" with "proficiency" to correct the grammar.
skill level
Simplifies the phrase to "skill level" focusing directly on the degree of skill possessed, omitting a direct synonym for the term "proficient".
level of competence
Substitutes "proficient" with "competence", focusing on the ability to perform a task effectively. This maintains the context while using a different but related noun.
extent of expertise
Replaces "level" with "extent" and "proficient" with "expertise", highlighting the breadth and depth of knowledge in a particular area. This is more formal and emphasizes specialized knowledge.
standard of skill
Shifts from a general "level" to a specific "standard", emphasizing a benchmark or expectation for skill attainment.
measure of ability
Focuses on the "ability" aspect, quantifying or assessing the capacity to perform a task. This moves away from subjective proficiency to a more measurable attribute.
grade of mastery
Replaces "level" with "grade" and "proficient" with "mastery", focusing on the level of control and understanding achieved in a particular skill or subject.
depth of knowledge
Highlights the "knowledge" component, emphasizing the profundity and comprehensiveness of understanding. This is particularly relevant in academic or technical contexts.
stage of development
Focuses on the progression and growth of skill over time, indicating a particular point in the learning or development process.
FAQs
What is the correct way to say "level of proficient"?
The correct way to express this idea is "level of proficiency". Using "proficiency" (a noun) instead of "proficient" (an adjective) makes the sentence grammatically correct.
What does "level of proficiency" mean?
The phrase "level of proficiency" refers to the degree of skill or competence someone has in a particular area. It indicates how well someone can perform a specific task or activity.
Are there synonyms for "level of proficiency"?
Yes, you can use alternatives such as "degree of skill", "extent of expertise", or "standard of skill" to convey a similar meaning.
How can I improve my "level of proficiency" in a subject?
To improve your "level of proficiency" in a subject, focus on consistent practice, seek feedback from experts, and set specific, measurable goals. Regularly assess your progress and adjust your approach as needed.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested