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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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poor competence

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "poor competence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to someone's lack of proficiency in an area. For example, "John lacks the necessary technical training and professional experience, evidenced by his poor competence in the role."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

In research literature, numerous research works suffer from poor competence modelling.

The poor competence at using the partograph was found rooted in the poor training staff received.

Science

BMJ Open

Our findings indicate problems with pre-service education as well as with in-service training leading to poor competence and non-use of the partograph.

Science

BMJ Open

However, their poor competence (7 ) and the Black Death that swept Russia and Scandinavia are not fully compatible with flea-borne transmission alone.

In 2008, Ethiopia conducted a national EmONC survey that revealed implementation gaps, mainly due to resource constraints and poor competence among providers.

A hospital based national survey in 2010 that analysed constraints from policy to practice in selected emergency obstetric and neonatal conditions in 18 hospitals identified providers poor competence as a major deterrent for ensuring quality comprehensive EmONC [ 6].

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Conversely, missing and/or poor competences may freeze interactive innovation processes and lock them in the past.

This result is in line with a recent methodological study by Birch et al. (2007) which also confirmed the common expectation that children with more severe visual impairment experience poorer competence than those with only "unilateral" impairment [ 28].

Furthermore, poor immune competence with ageing is closely linked to thymic atrophy.

"All showed evidence of the same problems of poor clinical competence, insufficient recognition of risk, inappropriate pursuit of normal childbirth and failures of team-working," Kirkup said.

News & Media

The Guardian

Specifically, results have demonstrated that children with poor social emotional competence and self-regulation have more difficulty transitioning to school, and they are at increased risk for low academic achievement, emotional and behavioral problems, peer rejection, and school dropout (Denham 2006; McClelland et al. 2006).

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing someone's "poor competence", be specific about the area of deficiency and provide context to avoid generalizations. For instance, instead of saying "The team has poor competence", specify "The team exhibits poor competence in data analysis".

Common error

Avoid using "poor competence" as a blanket statement without specifying the area of deficiency. This can lead to misunderstandings and doesn't offer actionable feedback. Instead, pinpoint specific areas needing improvement.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poor competence" functions as a descriptor, modifying a noun to indicate a substandard level of ability or skill. It's used to highlight deficiencies in performance or expertise, as shown in Ludwig's examples, which range from clinical skills to technical abilities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "poor competence" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a lack of ability or skill in a specific area. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most frequently found in scientific and professional contexts, as supported by Ludwig's examples, highlighting the need for specificity when identifying areas of deficiency. While alternatives such as "lack of skill" or "inadequate proficiency" exist, "poor competence" directly addresses the quality of the ability. When using this phrase, avoid overgeneralization and focus on clearly defining the area needing improvement for effective communication.

FAQs

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

You can use "poor competence" to describe a lack of ability in a particular area. For example: "The audit revealed "poor competence" in financial management."

What are some alternatives to "poor competence"?

Alternatives include "lack of skill", "inadequate proficiency", or "insufficient expertise", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "poor competence" or "lack of competence"?

Both "poor competence" and "lack of competence" are correct, but "lack of competence" might be perceived as slightly more formal. "Poor competence" emphasizes the quality of the ability, while "lack of competence" emphasizes the absence of it.

What does it mean to have "poor competence" in something?

Having "poor competence" in something means that you have a low level of ability or skill in that area. This can result from inadequate training, lack of experience, or other factors.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: