* Positive: "The surgeon was highly competent and performed the operation flawlessly."
* Neutral: "Despite being young, the intern proved to be a competent programmer."
* Negative: "The company's management was incompetent and led to its eventual downfall."
Other ways to use "competent":
* "Competent at" or "competent in": "She is competent at writing reports and giving presentations."
* "Competent to": "The lawyer is competent to represent the client in court."
* "Highly competent": "He is highly competent in his field and widely respected by his peers."
The meaning of "competent" can vary depending on the context. It can mean skilled, capable, qualified, or proficient. It's important to choose the appropriate word based on the specific situation.