Competant vs. Competent — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on March 25, 2024
"Competant" is an incorrect spelling. The correct spelling is "competent," meaning having the necessary ability or skills.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Competant or Competent
How to spell Competent?
Competant
Incorrect Spelling
Competent
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Think of "competent" as combining "come" + "pet" + "ent."
The "a" in "competant" is an added error; eject it!
Recall words like "resident" and "president" for the "-ent" ending.
Always remember it ends with "-ent" like "efficient" or "intelligent."
"Competent" has the word "pet" in the middle.
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How Do You Spell Competent Correctly?
Incorrect: She is a competant teacher who knows how to engage her students.
Correct: She is a competent teacher who knows how to engage her students.
Incorrect: The mechanic seemed competant enough to fix the car.
Correct: The mechanic seemed competent enough to fix the car.
Incorrect: He is very competant in his field of work.
Correct: He is very competent in his field of work.
Incorrect: To be successful, you need to be competant in communication skills.
Correct: To be successful, you need to be competent in communication skills.
Incorrect: Finding a competant web developer can be challenging.
Correct: Finding a competent web developer can be challenging.
Competent Definitions
Competent means having the required skills or abilities.
She's competent in her job.
Competent implies an adequate capability or ability.
The team was competent enough to handle the challenge.
Competent can also refer to a person who is legally qualified.
The court deemed him a competent witness.
Competent can describe something that is fitting or pertinent.
His comments were competent to the discussion.
Properly or sufficiently qualified; capable
A competent typist.
Adequate for the purpose
A competent performance.
(Law) Legally qualified or fit to perform an act.
Having sufficient skill, knowledge, ability, or qualifications.
He is a competent skier and an expert snowboarder.
(legal) Having jurisdiction or authority over a particular issue or question.
For any disagreements arising from this contract, the competent court shall be the Springfield Circuit Court.
Judicial authority having competent jurisdiction
Permeable to foreign DNA.
(geology) Resistant to deformation or flow.
Answering to all requirements; adequate; sufficient; suitable; capable; legally qualified; fit.
Rightfully or properly belonging; incident; - followed by to.
That is the privilege of the infinite Author of things, . . . but is not competent to any finite being.
Properly or sufficiently qualified or capable or efficient;
A competent typist
Adequate for the purpose;
A competent performance
Competent means efficient and capable.
With competent management, the company thrived.
Competent Meaning in a Sentence
A competent lawyer can make a big difference in a court case.
To become competent in a language, practice is essential.
She is competent in both science and mathematics.
He proved to be a competent leader during the crisis.
He is not only competent but also very dedicated.
A competent teacher makes learning enjoyable.
Competent medical professionals are in high demand.
She showed herself to be competent in handling difficult situations.
He became competent in coding in just a year.
Finding a competent assistant has significantly eased my workload.
Their team is competent enough to complete the project on time.
Competent decision-making is crucial in business.
To drive a car, you must be competent in basic vehicle maintenance.
They hired a competent designer to renovate the house.
She is competent at managing her team remotely.
To be competent in your career, continuous learning is necessary.
He's a competent cook, able to prepare delicious meals.
Competent planning was the key to the event's success.
Being competent in negotiation can save you money.
Competent editing makes a book much more enjoyable to read.
A competent secretary can efficiently manage an office.
A competent tutor can help improve your grades.
She's competent in digital marketing strategies.
A competent mechanic fixed the problem in no time.
Competent customer service improves a company's reputation.
Common Curiosities
What is the root word of Competent?
The root word is Latin "competens."
Why is it called Competent?
It's derived from Latin "competens," meaning "having the right to" or "fitting."
What is the singular form of Competent?
Competent.
What is the verb form of Competent?
The related verb is "compete."
Which vowel is used before Competent?
The article "a" is commonly used before "competent."
Which preposition is used with Competent?
"In" as in "competent in a subject."
Is Competent a noun or adjective?
Adjective.
Is Competent an abstract noun?
No.
What is the pronunciation of Competent?
/ˈkɒmpɪtənt/
What is the plural form of Competent?
Competents, but it's rarely used in plural form.
Is Competent a collective noun?
No.
Which article is used with Competent?
"A" or "the."
How many syllables are in Competent?
Three.
What is a stressed syllable in Competent?
The first syllable, "com."
What is another term for Competent?
Adept or capable.
What is the first form of Competent?
Competent.
Which conjunction is used with Competent?
Any conjunction can be used based on sentence structure.
What part of speech is Competent?
Adjective.
What is the opposite of Competent?
Incompetent.
Is Competent a vowel or consonant?
Competent is a word, consisting of both vowels and consonants.
Is the Competent term a metaphor?
No.
What is the third form of Competent?
N/A, as it's an adjective.
How is Competent used in a sentence?
"She is competent in handling technical issues."
Is Competent a countable noun?
No.
Is the word “Competent” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
It can serve as an adjective describing a direct object.
Which determiner is used with Competent?
Any determiner can be used based on context.
What is the second form of Competent?
N/A, as it's an adjective.
Is Competent an adverb?
No.
Is Competent a negative or positive word?
Positive.
Is the word Competent imperative?
No.
Is the word Competent a gerund?
No.
How do we divide Competent into syllables?
Com-pe-tent.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.