proficient of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "proficient of" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "proficient in," which is used to indicate a high level of skill or competence in a particular area or subject. Example: "She is proficient in multiple programming languages, including Python and Java."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

It is nevertheless considered the most active and proficient of the several groups at large in Sinai.

The Guardian

This work was set back by the assassination of the most proficient of the Lebanese army's communication's experts.

Independent

A State Department report released this year called Lashkar-e-Taiba "one of the largest and most proficient of the Kashmiri-focused militant groups".

The New York Times

Dr. Zinberg was one of the most eminent and proficient of surgeons and his contributions to this Department will be remembered for years to come.

The New York Times

Dr. Greenberger was not only one of the most eminent and proficient of surgeons in Brooklyn but he was also both a teacher and a student of the art and science of surgery.

The New York Times

Vocal-cord injury bears a stigma in the world of opera — it is wrongly thought to be caused invariably by improper technique, though problems can arise with the most technically proficient of singers.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

However, the practical difficulty of extracting the information needed also demands the use of proficient methods of signal processing.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Occasionally this boils down to sheer relish of the thrill of the chase, as when Hardy introduces Ramanujan to the "crack calculator" Major MacMahon, and the two men embark on a series of unimaginably proficient feats of mental arithmetic.

The Guardian - Books

The participants were of Polish origin, and all of them were proficient speakers of Polish.

Behavior Research Methods

After initial mastery of basic skills, some types of practice, the proficient execution of routine tasks for example, are unlikely to lead to further improvement.

BMC Medical Education

In 2010, only 20percentt of fourth graders tested proficient; 17percentt of eighth graders and 12percentt of high school seniors made the mark.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "proficient in", "skilled in", or "adept at" instead of "proficient of". "Proficient" describes the level of competence, while the preposition indicates the area of expertise.

Common error

Avoid using "of" after "proficient". The correct prepositions are "in" or "at", depending on whether you're referring to a field of study or a specific task. For example, say "proficient in data analysis" not "proficient of data analysis".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proficient of" functions as an adjective attempting to describe a skill or ability, but it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI identifies the correct usage as "proficient in" or "adept at".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "proficient of" is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates that the correct form is "proficient in" or a similar alternative such as "skilled in" or "adept at". While examples of "proficient of" appear in various sources, including news and scientific articles, it's important to avoid this usage in formal writing. Using the correct preposition ensures clarity and credibility. The more suitable phrases, "proficient in", "skilled in", and "adept at", provide grammatically sound ways to express competence in a particular area.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proficient in

Replaces "of" with the correct preposition "in", indicating skill in a particular area.

skilled in

Substitutes "proficient" with "skilled", using the correct preposition "in".

adept at

Replaces "proficient" with "adept", using the correct preposition "at".

competent in

Uses "competent" instead of "proficient", paired with the preposition "in".

capable of

Employs "capable" to convey ability, followed by "of" and a gerund.

good at

Uses a simpler phrase, "good at", to express proficiency.

expert in

Replaces "proficient" with "expert", indicating a high level of skill.

master of

Implies a high degree of skill, suggesting complete control or understanding.

accomplished in

Indicates a high level of achievement or skill in a particular field.

talented at

Uses "talented" to describe natural ability, followed by the preposition "at".

FAQs

What is the correct way to say someone is skilled?

The correct way to express someone's skill is to say they are "proficient in" a particular area, or "skilled at" a specific task. "Proficient of" is grammatically incorrect.

What can I say instead of "proficient of"?

Instead of "proficient of", you can use alternatives like "proficient in", "skilled in", or "adept at" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "proficient in" or "proficient of"?

"Proficient in" is the correct phrase. "Proficient of" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided.

How do I use "proficient in" in a sentence?

You can use "proficient in" to describe someone's ability: "She is proficient in several programming languages".