you excel at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "you excel at" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate someone's proficiency or skill in a particular area or activity. Example: "You excel at mathematics, which is why you were chosen to lead the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Do you excel at those too?

The Guardian - Sport

France is a great sporting nation, there are many sports that you excel at.

Independent

So work on getting a good degree, find out what you excel at and if you choose a different destination, have the self-confidence to embark on it.

The Guardian

If you are able to practise those and show that you excel at them early on, it could catapult your career to a different level".

The Guardian

"I reject the notion that the job you excel at is somehow not enough to aspire to, that there has to be something more," Ms. Fischer explained, speaking with her eyes closed, as she tends to do.

The New York Times

Rather than trying to get better at things you hate doing and know you're not great at, reframe the issue and try to do more things that energize you and that you excel at.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

You excelled at both.

The Guardian

You excelled at the stealth sidle.

The New Yorker

If you're looking to bump your CV up, you can add particular modules in your university course that you excelled at, or are extremely relevant to the job.

Independent

You excelled at hiding your feelings, because the alternative was frightening.

Huffington Post

Consider not only which subjects you enjoyed the most, but which subjects you excelled at.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "you excel at", ensure that you follow it with a specific skill or area of expertise to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "you excel at" without specifying what the person excels in. Saying "you excel" is vague; instead, be specific: "you excel at problem-solving" is much clearer.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "you excel at" functions as a compliment or commendation, specifically highlighting someone's competence or superior ability in a particular skill or area. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase follows standard grammatical rules and is broadly applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "you excel at" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to praise someone's ability in a particular skill. Ludwig AI confirms its standard usage. It is suitable for various contexts, ranging from professional to informal. When using this phrase, ensure that you specify the skill or area of expertise being commended to avoid vagueness. As seen through numerous examples on Ludwig, it's a versatile phrase that can effectively acknowledge and encourage individual strengths.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

you are proficient in

Replaces "excel" with "proficient", indicating competence but perhaps less emphasis on surpassing others.

you are skilled at

Uses "skilled" instead of "excel", focusing on developed ability.

you are adept at

Employs "adept", suggesting natural talent and ease.

you are talented at

Highlights innate ability using "talented".

you are masterful at

Indicates a high level of expertise using "masterful".

you shine at

Metaphorically suggests excellence using "shine".

you are strong in

Focuses on strength and capability using "strong in".

you have a knack for

Implies a natural inclination or talent using "knack".

you have a gift for

Emphasizes a natural talent using "gift".

you are a whiz at

Informally suggests expertise using "whiz".

FAQs

How can I use "you excel at" in a sentence?

Use "you excel at" to praise someone's specific skill or ability. For example, "you excel at project management", or "you excel at public speaking".

What are some alternatives to "you excel at"?

Alternatives include phrases like "you are proficient in", "you are skilled at", or "you are adept at", depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "you excel in" or "you excel at"?

While both "you excel at" and "you excel in" are grammatically acceptable, "you excel at" is generally more common and natural-sounding when referring to a specific skill or activity. "You excel in" is more common in relation to general areas, for example, "You excel in mathematics".

How formal is the phrase "you excel at"?

The phrase "you excel at" is generally considered neutral in formality and can be used in both professional and informal settings. The context will often dictate the overall tone.