within our competence

USAGE SUMMARY

"within our competence" is correct and usable in written English, and it is an expression that can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
For example, you could say, "We feel confident that this project is within our competence to complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Seared by two wars in the region, Americans are understandably doubtful that Syria is our problem, or within our competence, or even within our comprehension.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Making such a determination is well within the competence of our senior judiciary, which is already required to make extraterritorial determinations with regard to torture, as it did in the Pinochet case.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's perfectly clear that the matter of foreign relationships, foreign affairs and our relationship with the EU is not within the competence of the devolved legislatures," he said.

The Guardian

The answer, he said, "did not fall within the competence of the Church".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Does anyone seriously think that the cultural, intellectual and philosophical issues raised by the attack lie within the competence of private developers and corporate architecture firms?

The New York Times - Arts

The leading textbook on Scottish constitutional law confirms the Scottish Government's long-held position that a consultative referendum is within the competence of the Scottish Parliament.

Independent

"The appointment and the dismissal of the chairman of the management board of Slovenia's largest food retailer, Mercator, falls within the competence of the owners of the company and not within the competence of the government or the prime minister," the statement said.

The New York Times

The ministry, through the 15 union republic ministries of health, directed all medical institutions within its competence as well as the public health authorities and services throughout the country.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Because of the breadth of subject matter within its competence and its capacity to reach deeply into national legal systems, the EU has successfully created an expansive legal system in which all of its member states participate.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To prevent exposure of the scandalous hold Rasputin had on the imperial family, Nicholas interfered arbitrarily in matters properly within the competence of the Holy Synod, backing reactionary elements against those concerned about the Orthodox church's prestige.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In fact, the elements of Interactional Competence within Communicative Competence (Celce-Murcia 2007) rely largely on the interpersonal strategies and principles of Speech Acts theory and Politeness theory.

Functional Linguistics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "within our competence" to clearly define the boundaries of your team's or organization's capabilities. This helps manage expectations and ensures tasks are assigned appropriately.

Common error

Avoid using "within our competence" if you have doubts about your ability to handle a task. Be realistic and honest about your limitations to prevent potential failures and maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "within our competence" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to specify the limits of someone's or some group's abilities or authority. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "within our competence" is a prepositional phrase used to define the boundaries of someone's abilities, skills, or authority. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and usable in both formal and informal contexts, although usage examples show it is more common in neutral to professional settings such as news, science, and encyclopedia sources. To convey similar meanings, phrases like "within our capabilities", "within our expertise", and "within our jurisdiction" offer nuanced alternatives. When using this phrase, it's important to accurately represent your capabilities to avoid overstating competence and potentially failing to meet expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within our capabilities

This alternative focuses on the general abilities we possess.

within our capacity

This alternative emphasizes the limits of our ability to handle something.

within our ability

This option highlights the power and skill we have.

within our expertise

This option specifically refers to specialized knowledge or skill.

within our jurisdiction

This emphasizes legal or official authority.

within our power

This suggests control or influence over something.

within our purview

This indicates the scope or range of our authority or concern.

within our remit

This is a more formal term for scope of authority.

within our scope

This highlights the defined boundaries of what we cover.

something we are equipped to handle

This is a more descriptive way of expressing capability.

FAQs

How can I use "within our competence" in a sentence?

You can use "within our competence" to define the scope of your capabilities. For example, "We believe this project falls "within our competence" and are confident in our ability to deliver successful results".

What phrases are similar to "within our competence"?

Similar phrases include "within our capabilities", "within our expertise", and "within our jurisdiction", each carrying slight nuances in meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "within our competence" in formal writing?

Yes, "within our competence" is appropriate for formal writing. It clearly and professionally defines the scope of abilities or responsibilities. However, in more casual settings, simpler alternatives like "within our ability" might be preferred.

What's the difference between "within our competence" and "within our capabilities"?

"Within our competence" often implies a defined and recognized skill or area of expertise, while "within our capabilities" suggests a broader range of potential skills and abilities. Competence is often used in a professional context where proven skills are essential.