mastered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mastered" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone has gained complete knowledge or skill in a particular subject or activity. Example: "After years of practice, she has finally mastered the art of painting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Once you've mastered the basics, you can play around with the recipe to your heart's content (and it ought to be content: many versions are very low in fat) – but the guiding principle should always be to cram as many contrasts of flavour and texture into each bite as possible, while retaining the roll's elegant appearance (ie don't get too Man v Food about it).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

2012 was a year in which Labour mastered the arts of opposition, including cynical and opportunistic opposition, as when it helped Conservative rebels to sabotage reform of the Lords and combined with Tory Euro-haters to defeat the government over the European budget.

The Guardian - Opinion

They mastered the law and the facts of cases, and won victories in court – articulating a culture of human rights long before it became a mainstream concept.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ukraine is playing catch up with Russia, which has mastered both covert and overt tactics – from investing in Russia Today's global expansion to the Sputnik news agency, set up to counter "aggressive propaganda" from the west.

The Guardian

He grew up in Tooting Bec and loved music but never mastered one instrument.

The Guardian - Music

Once we'd mastered safety techniques, Simone led the way as we glided past lobed pore coral heads fully five metres high, and fields of slipper corals.

The Guardian - Travel

They forgot that in order to get to that easily sellable biker jacket, it had to go via a technically mastered piece that had been shown on the catwalk".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The talk show hosts at Triple M seem to have long since mastered it.

The Guardian - Sport

It has added a social element that eBay has never mastered.

The Economist

India's extremes of hydrology, poverty and population present vast difficulties for water management which it has never mastered.

The Economist

Since the North Koreans started on the same task at least 20 years ago, they have probably mastered it by now.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mastered" to convey a sense of complete competence and control over a skill or subject. For instance, "She has mastered the art of negotiation, securing favorable deals consistently."

Common error

Avoid using "mastered" when simply referring to repeated practice. "Practiced" indicates ongoing effort, whereas "mastered" suggests a high level of proficiency. Example: "She practiced the piano for years" (correct) vs "She mastered the piano" (implies expert level).

Linguistic Context

The word "mastered" primarily functions as a verb, specifically the past tense and past participle of "master". It signifies the successful acquisition of comprehensive knowledge or skill in a particular subject or activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

21%

Science

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mastered" is a verb used to indicate a high level of skill or knowledge achieved in a particular area. It's grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts, including news, business, and science, as validated by Ludwig AI. When choosing to use "mastered", ensure that it accurately reflects the subject's proficiency level rather than just indicating practice. Remember, alternatives like "became proficient in" or "gained expertise in" can offer nuanced meanings depending on your specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquired mastery of

Highlights the achievement of a comprehensive and deep understanding or skill.

became proficient in

Focuses on the process of gaining skill, emphasizing the improvement over time.

became skilled in

Focuses on the attainment of a high level of skill through practice or training.

gained expertise in

Emphasizes the acquisition of specialized knowledge and skill through experience or study.

excelled at

Highlights exceptional performance and superior skill in a particular area.

became adept at

Suggests a natural talent or quickness in learning and performing a skill.

perfected

Emphasizes the achievement of flawlessness or the highest possible standard in a skill.

conquered

Implies overcoming a challenge or difficulty to gain control or mastery.

got the hang of

Informal way to express learning something. It's less formal and more colloquial than "mastered".

got the knack of

Suggests an intuitive understanding or a special talent for doing something easily and successfully.

FAQs

How to use "mastered" in a sentence?

You can use "mastered" to describe someone who has achieved a high level of skill or knowledge in a particular area. For example: "He has mastered the art of coding" or "She mastered several languages during her studies".

What can I say instead of "mastered"?

You can use alternatives like "became proficient in", "excelled at", or "gained expertise in" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "mastered the skill" or "mastered in the skill"?

"Mastered the skill" is the correct usage. "Mastered" takes a direct object, so you don't need the preposition "in". For example: "She mastered the skill of public speaking".

What's the difference between "mastered" and "learned"?

"Learned" implies the acquisition of knowledge or skill, while "mastered" suggests a high level of proficiency and control over that knowledge or skill. You can say "I learned to play the guitar", but "I have mastered the guitar" implies a much higher level of ability.