prove mastery

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prove mastery" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the demonstration of skill or expertise in a particular subject or area. Example: "To advance in this course, students must prove mastery of the fundamental concepts before moving on to more advanced topics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

To get his degree, he had to prove mastery of economics in a two-hour telephone conversation with a professor at Pace University.

The New York Times

This time, with no need to prove mastery of the core repertory, the two programs are filled with exuberant, brilliant Latin American works, by Chávez, Orbón and Revueltas on Monday and Benzecry, Villa-Lobos and Estévez on Tuesday.

The New York Times - Arts

Before they can attempt a particular kind of jump on winter snow, they must prove mastery of the maneuver by performing it on a jump over a pool of water — where they must land in proper form.

The New York Times - Travel

The other change is aimed at teachers assigned several subjects, many of whom feared they would have to return to school for training in their additional subjects, or to pass rigorous examinations to prove mastery.

The New York Times

The popular perception of the examinations (called keju in Chinese) maintains that they served as an objective tool whereby all aspirants to public office were measured according to their ability to prove mastery of a substantial canon of classical texts, wherein was believed to lie the knowledge essential to good government.

The New York Times

Once they prove mastery of a concept, adaptive software will suggest new ones, much like Amazon recommends new books.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The $100,000 prize recognizes "outstanding and proven mastery in the art of poetry".

The New York Times

In 1997 Hecht was awarded the Tanning Prize (which "recognizes outstanding and proven mastery in the art of poetry").

Encyclopedia Britannica

The prize, which comes with a $100,000 award, is given annually for "outstanding and proven mastery of the art of poetry".

The New York Times

In 1994 he was awarded the first annual Tanning Prize from the Academy of American Poets for his "outstanding and proven mastery in the art of poetry".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ms. Bai has already proved mastery of similar, though much better, material with "Love Is Not Blind," but here she's trapped in a character without a core.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prove mastery" when you want to emphasize a need to demonstrate a high level of skill or expertise, especially in situations involving assessment or qualification. For example, "Candidates must "prove mastery" of the core competencies to be considered for promotion."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "prove mastery" is a formal phrase. In casual conversation, consider using simpler alternatives like "show you're good at" or "demonstrate skill in" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prove mastery" functions as a verb phrase where "prove" acts as a transitive verb requiring a direct object, in this case, "mastery". As noted by Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prove mastery" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is most commonly found in News & Media and Academic contexts. Its primary function is to denote the act of demonstrating a high level of skill or expertise. While versatile, it leans towards a formal register, and simpler alternatives may be more suitable for informal conversations. Top sources using the phrase include The New York Times and The Guardian. Related phrases include "demonstrate expertise" and "establish competence".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demonstrate expertise

Emphasizes showing a high level of skill and knowledge.

establish competence

Focuses on creating a firm recognition of one's abilities.

validate proficiency

Highlights the act of confirming a certain level of skill.

confirm skill

Directly emphasizes verifying someone's ability to perform a task.

show command of

Indicates a high degree of control and understanding.

verify expertise

Highlights confirming the depth of knowledge.

substantiate skill

Focuses on providing evidence to support a claim of skill.

attest to competence

Emphasizes formally declaring someone's abilities.

evidence proficiency

Highlights the presentation of proof of one's skills.

bear out skill

Means to confirm or support the fact of skill

FAQs

How can I use "prove mastery" in a sentence?

The phrase "prove mastery" is used to indicate demonstrating a high level of skill or expertise. For example, "Students must "prove mastery" of the subject matter through a final exam".

What are some alternatives to "prove mastery"?

Alternatives include "demonstrate expertise", "establish competence", or "validate proficiency", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "prove mastery"?

It's appropriate in formal or academic settings when you need to emphasize demonstrating a high level of skill. It suggests a formal assessment or evaluation process is involved.

Is "demonstrate mastery" a better phrase to use than "prove mastery"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "demonstrate mastery" might sound slightly less assertive. The choice depends on the desired tone and the context of the sentence.