proficient at doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "proficient at doing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's skill or expertise in a particular activity or task. Example: "She is proficient at doing complex mathematical calculations quickly and accurately."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

However, if we don't start advocating for ourselves at an early age, it will be more difficult to become proficient at doing this later in life, and consequently, we may miss out on opportunities that come our way in the meantime.

Huffington Post

If you become very proficient at doing this, you might be able to make more delicate versions as bracelets.

WikiHow

Although this is a fairly basic technique, you will need to practice it numerous times to become proficient at doing it.

WikiHow

In sports, you may practice drills and workouts, in other efforts, you may need to sharpen specific skills or research to become more proficient at doing your part.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Start with a line you've already written and then go straight off the dome: if you're becoming proficient at rhyming quickly, doing it on the fly can be a way to open up your skills and surprise yourself with what you come up with.

WikiHow

Being proficient at yoga poses does not make you proficient at "yoga" or more enlightened or more spiritual or nicer or more worthy in any way.

Huffington Post

And some say the practice may also help them become more proficient at what they do for a living.

The New York Times

Our steady state studies showed that the D211N mutant enzyme was much less proficient at pyrophosphorolysis, but did not provide a quantitative analysis of the kinetic differences.

Plosone

It takes time to become proficient at being able to do the things you need to do on the computer and do it as well as the kids".

The New York Times - Tech

But we wouldn't be any of these things, nor be proficient at them, if we didn't keep in touch with the communities that undergrid everything we do.

Huffington Post

However, intensity was not equally beneficial for the acquisition of formulaic sequences at all proficiency levels: high proficient language learners did not seem to benefit from intensive instruction to the same extent as low proficient language learners.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "proficient at doing", ensure the action being described is clear and specific. For instance, instead of saying "He is proficient at doing things", specify "He is proficient at doing data analysis".

Common error

Avoid using "proficient at doing" with overly general actions. Saying someone is "proficient at doing stuff" is vague and doesn't convey specific skills or expertise. Always specify the activity or task where proficiency is demonstrated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proficient at doing" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a high degree of skill or competence in performing a particular action. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe expertise in various activities.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "proficient at doing" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to describe someone's skill in performing a specific action. According to Ludwig, the phrase functions as an adjective phrase, indicating a high level of competence. While it's not a very common phrase, appearing in contexts such as news, media, and how-to guides (Wiki), it is best used in neutral to professional settings. For more formal or descriptive language, alternatives like "skilled in performing" or "adept at executing" can be used. Remember to always specify the action where proficiency is demonstrated to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skilled in performing

Replaces "proficient" with "skilled" and uses "performing" instead of "doing", emphasizing the act of carrying out a task.

adept at executing

Substitutes "proficient" with "adept" and "doing" with "executing", suggesting a high degree of skill and efficiency.

competent in carrying out

Replaces "proficient" with "competent" and "doing" with "carrying out", indicating a satisfactory level of skill to complete a task.

capable of performing

Uses "capable" instead of "proficient", focusing on the ability to do something.

experienced in conducting

Emphasizes prior experience and uses "conducting" instead of "doing", suitable for more formal contexts.

masterful at undertaking

Replaces "proficient" with "masterful" and "doing" with "undertaking", suggesting exceptional skill and control.

highly skilled in the execution of

More formal and elaborate, emphasizing the high level of skill in executing something.

well-versed in the art of

Indicates a deep knowledge and skill in a particular area, often implying creativity or finesse.

accomplished in the practice of

Highlights achievements and experience in a specific practice or field.

expert in the field of

Suggests recognized expertise and authority in a particular area.

FAQs

How can I use "proficient at doing" in a sentence?

Use "proficient at doing" to describe someone's skill level in performing a specific action. For example, "She is "proficient at doing" complex mathematical calculations quickly and accurately".

What are some alternatives to "proficient at doing"?

You can use alternatives like "skilled in performing", "adept at executing", or "competent in carrying out" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "proficient at doing" or "proficient in doing"?

"Proficient at doing" and "proficient in doing" are both acceptable, but "proficient at doing" is more common. "Proficient in" is generally used with subjects or fields, while "proficient at" is used with activities.

What's the difference between "proficient at doing" and "good at doing"?

"Proficient at doing" implies a higher level of skill and expertise than "good at doing". While "good at doing" suggests competence, "proficient at doing" indicates mastery or advanced capability.