to develop proficiency

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to develop proficiency" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of gaining skill or expertise in a particular area or subject. Example: "To succeed in this field, it is essential to develop proficiency in both technical and soft skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The goal of the chancellor's proposed modifications, school officials said, is to develop proficiency in English in three years.

The New York Times

At one time conservatories expected instrumentalists to develop proficiency in a secondary instrument, though most institutions seem to have dropped this requirement.

The New York Times - Arts

They were required to develop proficiency at several stations, including the X-ray machine, the explosives-trace detection machines, "wanding" (searching a passenger with a hand-held metal detector) and monitoring the walk-through metal detector.

The New York Times

The purpose of this study was to develop proficiency performance benchmarks for a newly proposed set of objective measures (metrics) of neurosurgical technical skills performance during simulated brain tumor resection using a new virtual reality simulator (NeuroTouch).

Journal of Surgical Education

The language of the school was English, not only to develop proficiency but also to provide a common tongue for pupils from different Nigerian language groups.

Wikipedia

They may need to develop proficiency in conducting a suitable risk assessment of participants.

Genetics in Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Access to vocational schools that help them develop proficiency in a trade would give them another option and actually make them more competitive in the workplace.

Forbes

Once students develop proficiency using the rubric, they then have opportunities to practice using it to evaluate their peers' writing; peer reviews are worth 20% of the course grade and are graded based on the justification they give for their assessment.

CBE Life Sciences Education

"Rather, these persons could live legally and without fear in the U.S., but only if they were willing to admit their culpability, pass rigorous background checks, pay significant fines and back taxes, develop proficiency in English and American civics, and be able to support themselves and their families," the statement says.

BBC

The state does not have a foreign-language requirement but students here must develop proficiency in at least one language.

The New York Times

He even thanked us for insisting that he practice speaking Standard English grammar and develop proficiency in a foreign language.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, specify the area in which proficiency is being developed. For example, instead of "to develop proficiency", consider "to develop proficiency in data analysis".

Common error

Avoid using "to develop proficiency" without specifying the subject matter. Vague statements like "the goal is to develop proficiency" lack impact. Always clarify the area of expertise you are targeting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to develop proficiency" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It typically introduces a goal or aim, indicating what someone intends to achieve. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to develop proficiency" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase for expressing the aim of gaining skill or expertise. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general knowledge. While grammatically correct, it's crucial to specify the area where proficiency is being developed to avoid vagueness. Consider alternatives like "to gain expertise" or "to acquire mastery" for nuanced expression, but remember "to develop proficiency" effectively communicates the intention to improve skills through dedicated effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to cultivate expertise

Focuses on careful nurturing and growth of expertise, implying a deliberate and gradual process.

to hone skills

Emphasizes refining and sharpening existing skills, suggesting precision and improvement.

to acquire mastery

Highlights achieving a high level of skill and control, implying complete competence.

to build competence

Suggests gradually establishing and strengthening competence in a particular area.

to gain expertise

Focuses on obtaining or receiving expertise, often through experience or training.

to improve aptitude

Implies enhancing a natural talent or ability, suggesting an increase in inherent skill.

to foster capability

Emphasizes nurturing and encouraging the growth of capability, implying support and development.

to nurture talent

Focuses on carefully developing and encouraging natural talent, implying a supportive environment.

to advance aptitude

Implies improving or moving aptitude forward suggesting progression.

to expand know-how

Highlights increasing practical knowledge and skills implying accumulation of practical abilities.

FAQs

How can I use "to develop proficiency" in a sentence?

You can use "to develop proficiency" to express the goal of gaining competence or skill in a particular area. For example, "The program aims to help students "to develop proficiency" in a foreign language".

What are some alternatives to "to develop proficiency"?

Alternatives include "to gain expertise", "to acquire mastery", or "to hone skills". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "to develop proficiency" and "to achieve competence"?

"To develop proficiency" implies a process of gradual improvement and skill enhancement. "To achieve competence" suggests reaching a satisfactory level of skill or ability. They both describe improvements in skills, but one focuses on the process while the other one focuses on the achievement.

Is it better to say "develop proficiency in" or "develop proficiency at"?

"Develop proficiency in" is generally preferred and more common when referring to a subject or area of study. "Develop proficiency at" is also acceptable, but less frequently used. Both are valid.