whose competence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whose competence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the skills or abilities of a person or group in relation to a specific context or subject. Example: "The committee will evaluate the proposals based on whose competence aligns best with the project requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Medical physics expert An individual or, if provided for in national legislation, a group of individuals, having the knowledge, training and experience to act or give advice on matters relating to radiation physics applied to medical exposure, whose competence in this respect is recognised by the competent authority.

Insights into Imaging

But Ree shone out as someone whose competence and tenacity and unpredictable responses we enjoyed".

The New York Times

Lovable kids' animation from the Peppa Pig creators, following two brothers whose competence doesn't always match their gallantry.

The Guardian - Film

The lawsuit was tossed out, but it was not a complete victory for Redstone, whose competence to run Viacom was central to the suit.

The Guardian

He is a man new to politics, taking over from a mayor whose competence was unchallenged, at an anxious and uncertain time.

The New York Times

Warren said the long-awaited assault would occur within two months as the Iraqis – whose competence Carter has publicly called into question – prepare for an attack in the baking summer heat.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

The self-administered questionnaires and group work focused mainly on the profile of the managers of the structure in charge of health research, though this structure also includes other staff whose competences are also needed for its operation.

Health Research Policy and Systems

However, the two aspects are independent of each another, and neuropsychological evidence appears to show that they can be dissociated: there are patients whose referential competence is impaired or lost while their inferential competence is intact, and vice versa (see Section 5.3).

SEP

The questionnaire employed to assess social competence was cross-validated with a third group of entrepreneurs who completed this measure themselves, and whose social competence was also rated by persons who knew them well.

Journal of Business Venturing

The world's mobile-phone leader was beaten to the discovery of smartphone gold by Apple, a Californian company whose core competence was making computers.

The Economist

So anyway: Ms. Bullock plays Sarah Ashburn, an F.B.I. hotshot whose supreme competence and extreme arrogance rub her co-workers the wrong way.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "whose competence", ensure the possessive pronoun clearly refers to a specific individual or group to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify "the team whose competence" rather than just "whose competence" when the context requires clarification.

Common error

Avoid placing descriptive phrases too far from the noun they modify. For example, instead of writing 'The project, whose competence was questioned, ultimately failed', it is clearer to write 'The project, for which competence was questioned, ultimately failed'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whose competence" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun by indicating possession or attribution of a specific skill or ability. It is typically used to specify a quality belonging to an individual or group, as seen in examples where "whose competence" refers to medical experts or political figures.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "whose competence" is a grammatically correct and semantically sound way to express possession of a particular skill or ability, as supported by Ludwig AI. While relatively uncommon, this phrase frequently appears in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts, indicating a formal or neutral register. Alternatives like "whose ability" or "whose expertise" can be employed depending on the specific nuance desired. To ensure clarity, always confirm the possessive pronoun has a clear referent, and avoid placing descriptive phrases too distantly from the modified noun. The examples illustrate real-world applications, strengthening confidence in using "whose competence" effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

whose ability

Replaces "competence" with "ability", focusing on the general capacity to perform a task.

whose skill

Substitutes "competence" with "skill", emphasizing proficiency acquired through practice.

whose expertise

Replaces "competence" with "expertise", highlighting specialized knowledge or skill.

whose proficiency

Uses "proficiency" instead of "competence", stressing the level of skill in a specific area.

whose capability

Replaces "competence" with "capability", indicating the potential to perform.

whose qualifications

Focuses on the formal requirements and credentials that demonstrate competence.

whose capacity

Uses "capacity" instead of "competence", referring to the inherent potential or ability.

whose aptitude

Replaces "competence" with "aptitude", focusing on the natural ability to do something well.

the measure of their competence

Shifts the structure to focus on evaluating competence, rather than simply possessing it.

the level of their competence

Changes the structure to emphasize a graded scale of competence rather than a binary presence or absence of it.

FAQs

How do I use "whose competence" in a sentence?

Use "whose competence" to indicate possession or a characteristic quality related to ability. For example: "The project manager, "whose competence" was unquestionable, led the team to success."

What are some alternatives to "whose competence"?

You can use alternatives like "whose ability", "whose skill", or "whose expertise" depending on the context. Each emphasizes a slightly different aspect of capability.

Is it better to say "whose competence" or "who's competence"?

"Whose competence" (possessive) is correct. "Who's competence" is a contraction of "who is competence" and is grammatically incorrect. Always use ""whose competence"" when referring to possession.

What does "whose competence is unquestioned" mean?

This phrase means that someone's ability or expertise is so evident and strong that it cannot be doubted or challenged. It indicates a high level of confidence in their capability.