more competent at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more competent at" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare levels of skill or ability in a specific area or task. Example: "She is more competent at managing projects than her colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

The secondary objective is to investigate whether the different treatment protocols influence the parents' self-rated parenting competence. 1. Parents in the baby-CIMT programme will feel more competent at parenting than will parents in the baby-massage group since they will have learned more about the child's specific needs.

BMC Pediatrics

Maxime proved more competent at employment, when ordered to find it to rescue the family finances.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Ethiopians are more competent at running a big state than, say, the Soviets were.

The Economist

Whatever Obama's failings, he is infinitely more competent at coping with catastrophe than his predecessor.

The New York Times

After practice, you get more competent at shielding yourself against the countless tempting stimuli in our world of information overload".

The Guardian

No one was more competent at holding the two together, or more curious in projecting the changing public image of himself as that of the new American man.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Though Kelley said the cleanup at Livermore had been more competent that at other locations, she believes cleanup standards across the nation are too lax and fail to protect human health.

Los Angeles Times

With girlfriends, we traded smug anecdotes about how much more competent we were at soothing babies to sleep, how the guys would inevitably forget the diaper-rash cream or buy the wrong baby cereal.

The New York Times

Because people with expert knowledge are seen as more competent decision makers at the school, it may be easier for specialists to capitalize on the opportunity to make decisions than it is for most community members.

American Journal of Community Psychology

On 10-point visual analogue scales, medical oncologists were rated as more competent and confident, better at communicating information clearly to the patient, more patient-centred in their consultation style, and less hurried in the consultation compared with radiation oncologists.

British Journal of Cancer

No one else in the cast is more than competent, at least for more than a few stolen moments.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more competent at", specify the area of competence to provide clarity. For example, "She is more competent at data analysis than project management".

Common error

Avoid using "more competent at" without a clear reference point. Saying someone is "more competent" without specifying what they are competent at can lead to ambiguity and weaken your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more competent at" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It highlights a relative advantage in skill or ability in relation to a specific task or area. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase indicates a higher degree of proficiency.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

31%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more competent at" is a commonly used and grammatically sound comparative phrase that highlights a relative advantage in a specific skill or ability. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely accepted in written English. It appears frequently in news media, scientific publications, and academic articles. When using this phrase, it's best to specify the area of competence to provide clarity and avoid overgeneralizations. Alternatives such as "more adept at" or "more proficient in" can be used to add variety to your writing. Remember that using clear and direct language is key for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more adept at

Replaces "competent" with "adept", implying a natural skill or talent.

more proficient in

Substitutes "competent" with "proficient" and changes the preposition to "in", highlighting a high degree of skill.

better skilled at

Uses "better skilled" instead of "more competent", focusing on acquired skills.

more capable of

Replaces "competent at" with "capable of", indicating an inherent ability to perform.

more masterful in

Substitutes "competent" with "masterful" and changes preposition to "in", suggesting a high level of expertise.

more accomplished at

Uses "accomplished" instead of "competent", emphasizing achievements through skill.

more experienced in

Replaces "competent" with "experienced" and changes the preposition to "in", focusing on gained experience.

more talented at

Substitutes "competent" with "talented", indicating a natural aptitude.

excels at

Uses the verb "excels" to indicate a high level of competence.

stronger in

Indicates competence by suggesting strength in the specific activity.

FAQs

How do I use "more competent at" in a sentence?

Use "more competent at" to compare someone's skill or ability in a specific area. For example, "He is "more competent at negotiation" than his predecessor".

What are some alternatives to "more competent at"?

You can use alternatives like "more adept at", "more proficient in", or "better skilled at" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "more competent in" instead of "more competent at"?

While "more competent at" is commonly used, "more competent in" can also be correct, especially when referring to a field of study or expertise. However, "more competent at" is generally preferred for specific tasks or activities.

What's the difference between "more competent at" and "more skilled in"?

"More competent at" and "more skilled in" are often interchangeable. However, "competent" suggests a general ability to meet requirements, while "skilled" implies a specific developed talent.