not as competently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not as competently" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the level of competence between two subjects or actions, indicating that one is less competent than the other. Example: "While she completed the project, it was not as competently done as her previous work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Silverado handles well and accelerates briskly; not like a race car, of course, but certainly as competently as most sedans.

Forbes

This may be a step forward: China can make dull Oscar bait just as competently as the US.

HuffPost

Even the geography of the roads and streets is a wonder to behold, giving you the opportunity to speed around Gotham as competently as any racing game.

Vice

"'We were supposed to represent our country as well as ourselves and not just competently but with skill and confidence," she said.

The New York Times

Not trembling; that would be too silly for someone as competently independent as she was.

The New Yorker

In that particular case -- in which a defendant was charged with murdering four people, including three law enforcement officers and a sheriff's wife -- he said he voted as he did because he believed the condemned man had not been competently represented.

The New York Times

They wrote, painted, put on theatrical shows, sang like angels and ran their own communities as competently as any male so competently that if any bishop tried to saddle them with rules they did not like, they had a good go at defying him.Nor were convents dreary places.

The Economist

There is zero evidence that gay couples cannot raise children as competently as their heterosexual counterparts.

The New York Times

The US girls (Chellsie, Shawn and Nastia) performed as competently as you would expect college girls to perform.

The Guardian - Sport

Infinitesimal deformation involving material nonlinearity was examined and shown to predict the deformation state as competently as the finite elements.

Advances in Engineering Software

Personally, I would love to be able to vote for a candidate who's spent his/her life preparing to serve the country as competently as possible.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not as competently" to draw a clear comparison, highlighting a specific deficit in skill or ability relative to a known benchmark. For clarity, ensure the comparison is explicitly stated or easily inferred.

Common error

Avoid using "not as competently" without a clear point of comparison. The phrase implies a comparison, and omitting it can lead to ambiguity. Always specify what is being compared to what.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not as competently" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the manner in which an action is performed. As Ludwig AI says, it serves to express a comparison, showing that an action is carried out with a lower degree of competence compared to something else.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not as competently" functions as an adverbial phrase to compare levels of competence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While relatively rare in occurrence, it's used across different domains, primarily in News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, ensure that the comparison is clear and explicit to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "less competently" for conciseness, as needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Less competently

Direct synonym, simpler structure.

Not quite as competently

Adds emphasis on the slight difference in competence.

Not so competently

Rephrasing using "so" instead of "as".

With less competence

Changes the phrase to use the noun form of "competent".

Not with as much competence

Elaborates on the reduction in competence.

In a less competent manner

More formal phrasing emphasizing the manner of execution.

Not as skillfully

Replaces "competently" with "skillfully".

Not as effectively

Replaces "competently" with "effectively".

To a lesser degree of competence

Formal rephrasing using "degree".

Not up to the same standard of competence

More descriptive, emphasizing the difference in standards.

FAQs

How can I use "not as competently" in a sentence?

Use "not as competently" to compare two actions or entities, indicating one is less skilled or able than the other. For example: "While she finished the project, it was "not as competently" done as her previous work."

What phrases are similar to "not as competently"?

Alternatives include "less competently", "not as skillfully", or "with less competence". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "less competently" or "not as competently"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. "Less competently" is more concise, while "not as competently" can sometimes provide a slightly stronger emphasis on the comparison.

Can "not as competently" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "not as competently" is appropriate for formal writing, but consider whether a more concise alternative like "less competently" would be more effective.