a born skill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a born skill" is not commonly used in written English and may be considered incorrect.
It could be used to describe a talent or ability that someone possesses naturally from birth, but the more standard expression is "a natural skill." Example: "She has a born skill for music, effortlessly playing the piano since she was a child."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some people argue that street smarts are only a natural born skill, but I disagree.

Forbes

What would happen if women looked at leadership as a natural born skill that they already have?

HuffPost

But it had the same born skill that made the Cafe du Lezard drink so satisfying.

The New York Times - Food

In this data-saturated age, sporting purists may take some comfort from the fact that natural born skill still matters.

BBC

As Hazel observes, this is hardly necessary given Jack's ability to spin forth lyric monologues dotted with literary quotations with the skill of a born orator.

The New York Times

But he had an expert ear and, more important, the party-planning skills of a born impresario.

The New York Times

Stewart works with astounding confidence and skill; he's a born storyteller with a gift for sculpting drama out of the smallest actions.

BBC

We could see it in the eyes of the Argentine players in the tunnel before kick off - a tension that gnaws into the soul, a tension born of knowing that skill for skill you aught to win, but, boy do these Germans look tall and strong.

The New York Times - Sports

It was a shot born of imagination, skill and confidence given to few in the game's history and it showed us that this was a talent that wasn't done yet.

The Guardian - Sport

Wilson is adept at spreading herself around, but this, you soon realise, is a skill born of the fact that Britain's biggest-selling children's author – 30m copies and rising – would meet every single one of her fans in person if only it were possible.

The Guardian - Books

Named after the Hindi word meaning 'arrow', teer is an almost-daily activity in Shillong – a game of chance born from a skill that Meghalaya residents have practiced for centuries: archery.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "natural skill" instead of "a born skill" for clearer and more accepted usage. "Natural skill" is more common and avoids potential grammatical ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "born skill" frequently. While it conveys the idea of innate talent, it isn't as widely accepted as "natural skill" and might sound awkward or incorrect to some readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a born skill" functions as a noun phrase, where "born" acts as an adjective modifying "skill". However, it's not a commonly used construction. According to Ludwig, it is not a standard expression and the alternative is "a natural skill".

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a born skill" is an uncommon and grammatically questionable way to describe an innate ability. Ludwig AI indicates that it is not a standard expression. It's advisable to use more conventional alternatives such as "natural skill", "natural talent", or "innate ability" for clearer and more widely accepted communication. While the intent is to convey an inherent quality, these alternatives do so more effectively and are less likely to be misinterpreted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Natural talent

Emphasizes the inherent quality of the talent.

Innate ability

Highlights the inborn nature of the capacity.

Natural aptitude

Highlights inherent suitability for a task.

God-given gift

Suggests the talent is divinely bestowed.

Instinctive skill

Focuses on skills that come naturally.

Inherent aptitude

Focuses on the natural inclination towards something.

Native genius

Implies exceptional intelligence from birth.

Inbred talent

Emphasizes genetic inheritance of the talent.

Constitutional gift

Highlights the talent as part of one's inherent makeup.

Organic talent

Implies the talent developed naturally and spontaneously.

FAQs

What is a more common way to express "a born skill"?

A more common and grammatically sound alternative is "natural skill". This phrase is widely recognized and understood.

Is "a born skill" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "a born skill" is less conventional. The more standard form is "natural skill".

When is it appropriate to use "a born skill"?

Given that the expression is rare and sounds non-idiomatic, it's best to opt for established alternatives such as "natural talent" or "innate ability" in most contexts.

What are some alternatives to "a born skill" that emphasize inherent talent?

Alternatives include "natural gift", "innate talent", or "inherent skill", all of which highlight the inborn quality of the ability.