over competence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "over competence" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts discussing the limits or excess of competence, but it is not commonly recognized. Example: "The team's performance was hindered by an over competence that led to complacency."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

His appointments plainly showed a preference for piety over competence.

The Economist

"This is not over competence," Mr. Leahy, ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said.

The New York Times

The first undesirable attribute was loyalty, in the sense of valuing personal relationships over competence.

The New York Times

Chávez surrounded himself mostly with mediocrities, valuing loyalty over competence or, it turned out, honesty.

The Guardian

In addition, most companies still tend to favor tenure over competence or potential in promotions.

Harvard Business Review

The moral debate over welfare could soon yield to yet another argument over competence.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

The idea of a unified medical emergency service materialized in 2002, when the Madrid Regional Government took over medical competences transferred from the national government.

BMC Health Services Research

The collection has prompted a four-year tangled dispute over his competence and control over his Fragonards, Bonnards and Fra Angelicos.

The New York Times - Arts

Watching Barack Obama this week, it occurred to me that, just maybe, America has decided to value intelligence over relatability, and competence over fear mongering.

Huffington Post

It is not an academic question, or a simple clash over scientific competence, but an implied accusation of negligent homicide.

The New York Times - Books

Keogh raises questions over the competence of some of the surgeons who conduct facelifts, breast implants and nose straightening.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "over competence", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're discussing prioritization (e.g., valuing loyalty "over competence") or an excess of competence leading to negative consequences (e.g., arrogance).

Common error

Avoid using "over competence" if you simply mean "competence". This phrase suggests a preference or excessive amount, so it is better suited in contexts relating to choices or extreme cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over competence" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often used to indicate a preference or prioritization of something else in comparison to competence. Examples from Ludwig show its use in contexts where loyalty, seniority, or other qualities are valued more highly than competence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "over competence" is used to express that something is valued more than competence. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is not standard in written English and may cause confusion. The phrase is often used in contexts relating to choices, such as prioritizing loyalty "over competence". The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, and science contexts, indicating a neutral formality level. It's crucial to ensure the intended meaning is clear and precise when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive competence

Replaces "over" with a more direct adjective to describe the degree of competence.

more than competent

Emphasizes exceeding a standard level of competence.

beyond capable

Highlights exceeding expectations in ability.

doubts about competence

Focuses on the presence of uncertainty regarding someone's skills.

concerning competence

Highlights issues related to someone's competence.

regarding competence

Similar to "concerning competence" but slightly more formal.

questioning competence

Shifts the focus to doubting or investigating competence.

lack of competence

Indicates a deficiency in required skills.

inadequate skills

Directly points out insufficient skills.

insufficient expertise

Implies a lack of the necessary experience and knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "over competence" in a sentence?

Use "over competence" to show that something is valued or prioritized higher than competence, such as "The company values loyalty "over competence"" or "The decision was based on seniority "over competence"".

What does it mean to prioritize something "over competence"?

Prioritizing something "over competence" means choosing something else as more important or valuable than having the necessary skills or abilities. This could involve valuing loyalty, experience, or other factors more than actual ability.

What are some situations where loyalty might be valued "over competence"?

Loyalty might be valued "over competence" in situations where trust and long-term relationships are considered essential, such as in family businesses or close-knit teams, even at the expense of optimal performance.

What can I say instead of valuing loyalty "over competence"?

You can use alternatives such as "prioritizing loyalty above skill", "emphasizing allegiance more than ability", or "favoring faithfulness over expertise".