very proficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very proficient" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who has a high level of skill or competence in a particular area or subject. Example: "She is very proficient in multiple programming languages, making her an asset to the development team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Although some had learned other languages (N = 9), none rated themselves as very proficient in any foreign language (overall self-rated proficiency in other languages = 2.3).

Bilingualism

They're also technically very proficient, very bright and very entrepreneurial".

The New York Times

Martin was a very proficient chess player himself.

Independent

"It's fun and driving, and they are technically very proficient".

The New York Times - Arts

"It took you about a year to become very proficient with the adz," Larner said.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We've gotten very proficient at checkmating each other's issues," said Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

"I knew if she was going to compete in the lower 48 she'd have to be very technically proficient," Gardner Cobb said.

The New York Times - Sports

Fraser Bomford, analyst at risk consultancy AKE group based in the UK, said Russian hackers in particular are known to be very technically proficient at accessing all sorts of information.

BBC

However, as these mutations generally resulted in very low catalytic proficient CGTase mutants, they are not discussed here.

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology

Employers complain that recent economics graduates, while being technically proficient, know very little about the real world.

The Guardian - Business

Thus a very skilled and tactically proficient capability was stood up.

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing skills, follow "very proficient" with the preposition "in" or "at" to specify the area of expertise (e.g., "very proficient in data analysis" or "very proficient at public speaking").

Common error

While "very proficient" is widely acceptable, avoid using it excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Consider replacing it with stronger, more precise synonyms like "expert", "masterful", or "highly skilled" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very proficient" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a high degree of competence or skill. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

22%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Science & Research

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very proficient" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a high level of skill or competence. As shown by Ludwig, it is employed across various domains, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki. While appropriate for general use, consider more precise synonyms in highly formal contexts. To clearly express expertise, follow it with the prepositions "in" or "at", specifying the area of skill. The Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly skilled

Focuses more on general skill level rather than specific competence.

extremely competent

Emphasizes the ability to perform tasks effectively and efficiently.

highly capable

Highlights the potential and ability to perform well.

exceptionally talented

Highlights innate abilities and natural aptitude.

remarkably skilled

Emphasizes the noteworthiness of skill.

masterful

Suggests a high degree of control and expertise, often acquired through long practice.

outstandingly competent

Underscores the exceptional quality of competence.

adept

Implies quickness and skillfulness in performing a task.

accomplished

Indicates a track record of achievements and successes.

expert

Suggests specialized knowledge and skill in a particular field.

FAQs

How can I use "very proficient" in a sentence?

You can use "very proficient" to describe someone's high skill level in a particular area. For example, "She is very proficient in data analysis", or "He became very proficient at playing the piano".

What are some alternatives to "very proficient"?

Some alternatives to "very proficient" include "highly skilled", "extremely competent", "exceptionally talented", or "expert", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "very proficient" or "highly proficient"?

Both "very proficient" and "highly proficient" are acceptable. "Highly proficient" may sound slightly more formal, but the difference is minimal.

Which is more accurate, "proficient" or "very proficient"?

"Proficient" means competent or skilled in doing or using something. Adding "very" simply intensifies the degree of skill. If you want to emphasize a high level of skill, use "very proficient".