My forte

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "My forte" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate a particular strength or talent you possess. Example: "My forte is public speaking." Alternative expressions include "my strength," "my specialty," and "my talent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My forte is total abstracts".

The New York Times

My forte is scrubbing things.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"My forte was backing-up," he said.

Independent

"My forte is the ones that no one wants to do," he said.

The New York Times

"My forte and future role with Rangers will be based on youth development side.

BBC

"My forte is that I can make any kind of figure beautiful.

Los Angeles Times

That's my forte.

The New York Times - Sports

"Power's always been my forte," Davis said.

The New York Times - Sports

So tact was never my forte.

Princeton University

And "Dosage has never been my forte".

The New York Times - Books

That's not always been my forte.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "My forte", provide specific examples to support your claim and demonstrate your proficiency.

Common error

Avoid confusing "forte" (a strength) with "forte" (a musical term meaning loud). The pronunciation differs: "forte" (strength) is pronounced with one syllable, like "fort", while "forte" (loud) is pronounced with two syllables.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "My forte" functions as a subject complement, identifying and describing a person's strength or area of expertise. It is commonly used to highlight a specific talent, as supported by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "My forte" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote one's strength or area of expertise. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a subject complement, serving the purpose of asserting competence. Its register is generally neutral, leaning towards formal, making it suitable for professional and academic contexts. While usable in general conversations, it adds a formal tone. Remember to use "My forte is" when referring to a singular strength. While, as the Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct, remember not to confuse this word with the musical term spelled identically but referring to loudness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

My strength

Replaces "forte" with a more common and straightforward synonym, maintaining the same meaning.

My specialty

Indicates a particular area of expertise, similar to having a "forte".

I excel at

Shifts the focus to the action of performing well, rather than the area of strength itself.

I'm skilled in

Highlights proficiency in a particular skill, similar to having a "forte".

I'm proficient at

Similar to "I'm skilled in", emphasizing competence in a specific area.

My area of expertise

More formal way of stating a specialty or "forte".

What I do best

Informal way of expressing one's greatest skill or "forte".

My talent lies in

Indicates a natural aptitude or gift in a particular area.

I have a knack for

Implies a natural ability or ease in doing something.

My strong suit

An idiomatic expression for one's area of strength.

FAQs

How can I use "My forte" in a sentence?

You can use "My forte" to describe your area of expertise or strength, for example, "My forte is data analysis" or "Public speaking is my forte".

What are some alternatives to saying "My forte"?

Alternatives include "My strength", "My specialty", or "I excel at", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "My forte is" or "My forte are"?

The correct usage is "My forte is" because "forte" refers to a singular strength or talent. You would use "are" if referring to multiple strengths.

What's the difference between "My forte" and "My skill"?

"My forte" implies a particular strength or talent that one excels in, while "My skill" is a more general term for an ability. "Forte" suggests something more exceptional or defining.