proficiently

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "proficiently" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adverb that means "in an expert or very skillful manner". For example, you could say "He plays the piano proficiently".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After just one month, "a new worker can stitch as proficiently as someone with a decade of experience".

The Economist

Until computers learn how to cope just as proficiently with the outbursts of self-absorbed teenage bloggers or snarky gossip columnists, machine-translated articles will struggle to attract readers.

The Economist

Only one in three children left high school able to read proficiently.

The Economist

But the same money could be used to teach Brazilians aged 15-30 how to read and write proficiently, a more important goal, says Ms Teixeira, a former state education secretary from Goiás.

The Economist

In the public imagination, "our boys" fight wars not only proficiently, but also in a spirit of decency and fair play (in mild contrast to the trigger-happy Americans).

The Economist

As a child growing up in Texas, Earle acquired his first guitar at age 11 and was playing proficiently two years later.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Educated in Latin and Greek there, Milton in due course acquired proficiency in other languages, especially Italian, in which he composed some sonnets and which he spoke as proficiently as a native Italian, according to the testimony of Florentines whom he befriended during his travel abroad in 1638 39.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This whale can also proficiently mimic a variety of sounds.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When released at the age at which normally reared birds fly proficiently, the experimental subjects flew without practice as successfully as those that had spent their time in trial flight.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ray Milland, Melvyn Douglas, and Robert Young acted the screwball-comedy heroes proficiently, but the roles didn't release anything in their own natures — didn't liberate and complete them, the way farce completed Grant.

The New Yorker

But in January and February of this year, at the Phoenix Open, in Arizona, and at the Farmer's Open, in San Diego, he fluffed a series of simple chip shots that many amateurs could have executed proficiently, prompting some commentators to utter the most dreaded word in golf.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's ability, use "proficiently" to emphasize their expertise and skill in a particular area. For example, "She speaks French proficiently."

Common error

Avoid using "proficiently" as an adjective. "Proficient" is the correct adjective form. Instead of saying "a proficiently pianist", say "a proficient pianist".

Linguistic Context

The word "proficiently" functions as an adverb, modifying verbs to describe the manner in which an action is performed. It emphasizes the skill and expertise with which something is done. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts to highlight competence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "proficiently" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverb that describes an action performed with skill and expertise. Ludwig examples show its usage across diverse sources, including news, encyclopedias, and literature, confirming its versatility and correctness. While it's crucial to avoid misusing it as an adjective, its neutral tone makes it suitable for various contexts. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it's best to use "proficiently" to emphasize the quality and competence with which an action is executed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skillfully

Emphasizes dexterity and expertise in performing a task.

adeptly

Highlights natural talent and quickness in mastering a skill.

competently

Focuses on meeting the required standards and performing adequately.

effectively

Stresses the successful achievement of a desired outcome.

expertly

Indicates a very high level of skill derived from training or experience.

with expertise

Highlights possession of specialized knowledge or skill.

with skill

General way to emphasize that something is done with certain ability.

in a skilled manner

Formal way to express that something is carried out with skill.

with proficiency

Highlights that the task is carried out with a great degree of competence.

highly capable

Indicates the potential and ability to perform successfully.

FAQs

How can I use "proficiently" in a sentence?

"Proficiently" is an adverb that describes how an action is performed with skill and expertise. For example, "He plays the guitar "proficiently"" or "The team executed the plan "proficiently"".

What are some synonyms for "proficiently"?

Some synonyms for "proficiently" include "skillfully", "adeptly", "competently", and "expertly". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "proficient" and "proficiently"?

"Proficient" is an adjective that describes a person or thing that is skilled, while "proficiently" is an adverb that describes how an action is performed in a skilled manner. For example, "She is a proficient "pianist"" versus "She plays the piano "proficiently"".

Is it correct to say someone "proficiently knows" something?

While grammatically understandable, it's more common and stylistically better to use constructions like "has a proficient knowledge of", "knows something proficiently", or "is proficient in" followed by the subject. For instance, "She is proficient in math" is preferable to "She proficiently knows math".