low proficiency

USAGE SUMMARY

"low proficiency" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's level of knowledge or skill in a certain subject, especially when that level is below average. For example, "The student had a low proficiency in mathematics."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

According to the institute decree, the scores between 70 and 75 fell into low proficiency group, 75 90 were considered as mid-proficient learners, and 90 100 were categorized as high –proficient ones.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

This approach obscures proficiency differences between languages within individuals and the small sample size did not allow us to differentiate groups of across-language high or low proficiency.

Nature

Evidence from a sentence completion task conducted with low proficiency speakers whose L1s are Chinese and Spanish is used to test this claim.

Lingua

The findings showed that apart from external limitations such as insufficient teaching times and limited teaching resources, English language teachers are disappointed by their low proficiency in speaking English and using technology during teaching times.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Stimulated recall was used to explore whether this impact differed according to the proficiency level of the students, and revealed that for both high and low proficiency learners' strategy use developed as a result of the instruction.

System

Poor readers refer to readers with low proficiency.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Intermediate-high to advanced-low proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing German is expected upon completion.

Columbia University

The beneficial effect, however, did not extend to low-proficiency participants.

Computers & Education

These are the kinds of people who once held relatively low-paying, low-proficiency factory positions in industries like electronics, textiles, basic housewares, furniture, steel, and paper products.

The New Yorker

It means that those questions are effective in terms of distinguishing between high- and low-proficiency test takers.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

In our study, school SES was a significant predictor of students being high-proficiency readers, but not low-proficiency readers.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's abilities, use "low proficiency" to clearly indicate they possess a basic or underdeveloped skill level in a specific area. Be specific about the area of "low proficiency" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "low proficiency" as a broad descriptor of someone's overall abilities. Instead, specify the particular skill or subject where their proficiency is limited to provide a more accurate and fair assessment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "low proficiency" functions as a descriptive adjective modifying a noun (e.g., "low proficiency speakers", "low proficiency levels"). It quantifies the degree of skill or competence in a particular area. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

14%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "low proficiency" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a limited level of skill or competence in a specific area. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is a correct and usable phrase. Its usage spans various fields like science, news, and formal communication. When writing, ensure you specify the area where proficiency is low, avoiding overly general descriptions. Alternatives like "limited expertise" or "basic skill level" can be used depending on the context. It's a valuable term for objective assessments and clear communication regarding skill levels.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Limited expertise

Focuses on the restricted scope of knowledge or skill.

Basic skill level

Indicates a fundamental, rather than advanced, level of competence.

Rudimentary ability

Emphasizes the undeveloped or initial stage of a skill.

Inadequate competence

Highlights the insufficiency of the skill for a given task.

Poor command

Implies a weak control or mastery of a subject or skill.

Deficient skill set

Points to a lack of necessary skills.

Weak grasp

Suggests an incomplete or tenuous understanding.

Novice level

Denotes the initial stage of learning or skill acquisition.

Beginning stage

Highlights the start of the learning curve.

Limited mastery

Emphasizes the restricted degree of control or expertise.

FAQs

How can I use "low proficiency" in a sentence?

You can use "low proficiency" to describe someone's limited skill in a particular area. For example: "The student demonstrated "low proficiency" in mathematics."

What are some alternatives to saying "low proficiency"?

Alternatives include "limited expertise", "basic skill level", or "rudimentary ability", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "low proficiency" or "lack of skill"?

"Low proficiency" is a more formal way of saying "lack of skill". The best choice depends on the context and desired tone of your writing.

What does it mean to have "low proficiency" in a language?

Having "low proficiency" in a language means you have a limited ability to understand, speak, read, or write in that language. You may only be able to handle basic communication.