a core skill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a core skill" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an essential or fundamental ability that is crucial for a particular task or profession. Example: "Communication is a core skill that every leader should possess to effectively manage their team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Oratory is a core skill.

The Guardian

Writing ability is a core skill for all researchers and a poorly written CV will cast doubt on your suitability.

The Guardian

Managing your own wellbeing is a core skill needed by all social care workers, to ensure they stay happy and healthy, and therefore motivated at work.

The Guardian

But don't knock knowledge – it allows us to make the connections and abstractions which are a core skill of creative thinking.

The Guardian

Employer's verdict: "Grappling with complex information, and communicating it effectively, is a core skill to teaching – but also relevant to any working environment".

The Guardian

Rich Wilson, CMO, Relative Insight Coding is rapidly becoming a core skill for everyone in digital/marketing, so anyone who cannot will quickly find themselves disadvantaged.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Along with individual clinical expertise, it is a required core skill for clinical problem solving and it is considered to be a comprehensive component of the medical curricula.

Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology

The use and interpretation of electrocardiograms (ECGs) are widely accepted as an essential core skill in Emergency Medicine.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

The use and interpretation of electrocardiograms (ECGs) is widely accepted as an essential core skill in Emergency Medicine [1].

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

If you look hard at the opportunity, a magazine with a huge audience and an agency whose core skill is behaviour change, you have a potent mix that could make a real world difference.

The Guardian

For each element, participants received: 1) a didactic presentation from one of the four training faculty, 2) a demonstration of that elements' core skill via a video clip, 3) the opportunity to practice the core skill with a Standardized Patient (SP), and 4) the opportunity to both provide and receive feedback with a partner.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing professional competencies, use "a core skill" to emphasize the fundamental nature of the ability. For example, "Effective communication is "a core skill" for project managers."

Common error

Avoid generically stating that something is "a core skill" without specifying its relevance or application. Instead of saying "Adaptability is "a core skill"", specify its importance: "Adaptability is "a core skill" in fast-paced work environments."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a core skill" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an object within a sentence. It identifies an essential ability or competency. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a core skill" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that highlights the fundamental importance of an ability or competency. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in professional and academic settings. Its purpose is to emphasize the essential nature of a skill, making it a valuable phrase for discussions about professional development, job requirements, and educational objectives. While alternatives such as "a fundamental skill" or "an essential skill" can be used interchangeably, "a core skill" specifically emphasizes the foundational aspect. Use "a core skill" to emphasize the fundamental nature of an ability; avoid generic statements without specific context; it's advisable to mention the specific relevance or application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fundamental skill

Replaces "core" with "fundamental", emphasizing the foundational nature of the skill.

an essential skill

Substitutes "core" with "essential", highlighting the necessity of the skill.

a key skill

Uses "key" instead of "core", indicating the skill's importance and enabling function.

a vital skill

Replaces "core" with "vital", stressing the critical importance of the skill.

a crucial skill

Uses "crucial" in place of "core", emphasizing the decisive importance of the skill.

a basic skill

Replaces "core" with "basic", focusing on the elementary and foundational aspect of the skill.

a primary skill

Substitutes "core" with "primary", highlighting the skill's foundational role.

a central skill

Replaces "core" with "central", indicating the skill's importance as a focal point.

a necessary skill

Uses "necessary" instead of "core", emphasizing the indispensability of the skill.

a required skill

Replaces "core" with "required", emphasizing the obligatory nature of the skill for a particular purpose.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a core skill" in a sentence?

Use "a core skill" to highlight abilities that are fundamental to success in a specific role or field. For instance, "Problem-solving is "a core skill" for software engineers."

What phrases can I use instead of "a core skill"?

You can use alternatives like "a fundamental skill", "an essential skill", or "a key skill" to convey a similar meaning.

Is there a difference between "a core skill" and "a key skill"?

While both phrases emphasize importance, "a core skill" suggests a foundational ability, whereas "a key skill" highlights a skill that is particularly important or enabling for a specific task or goal. The choice depends on the context.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use the phrase "a core skill"?

The phrase "a core skill" is best used in contexts where you want to emphasize the fundamental and essential nature of a particular ability, such as in job descriptions, training materials, or discussions about professional development.