a forte

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a forte" is not correct in standard written English.
The term "forte" is typically used in the context of strengths or areas of expertise, and it is often used without the article "a." Example: "Her forte is in graphic design, where she excels and creates stunning visuals."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Public speaking has never been a forte.

The Washington Post

Restructuring articles was also a forte of his.

Nature

Any music21 Chord can be interpreted as a Forte set class.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Baked goods are a forte of Swedes, and the assortment of breads didn't disappoint.

The New York Times - Travel

And international collaboration is not exactly a forte of the US right now.

MIT Technology Review

Seven seconds and a Forte free throw later, the game was over.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

It goes halfway toward the light: after a floor-rattling bass-drum crescendo, the entire orchestra lands on a quadruple-forte A-major chord.

The New Yorker

Cabernet franc, a red, is becoming a regional forte, but of the 26 judged only 5 came from the Island.

The New York Times

Espionage may be a French word; it is nonetheless a British forte.

The Guardian - Opinion

Deference is not a Spiegel forte, but correctness is: Mr. Byrne was indeed a borough president, circa 1926.

The New York Times

"I don't think we have a choice," Forte said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to someone's strength or area of expertise, use "forte" without the article "a". For example, "Mathematics is her forte."

Common error

Avoid using the article "a" before "forte" when describing a strength. Saying "a forte" is grammatically incorrect; the correct usage is simply "forte".

Linguistic Context

The phrase functions as a noun phrase intended to specify an area of strength or expertise. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is not correct, this is because in modern standard usage, "forte" does not require the article "a" when used to denote a strength.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

22%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a forte" appears in some texts, Ludwig AI emphasizes that it is grammatically incorrect in modern English when referring to a strength or area of expertise. The correct usage is to omit the article "a" and simply use "forte". Common alternatives include "strength" or "area of expertise". While sources like The New York Times and The New Yorker contain examples of the phrase, it's best to adhere to the grammatically correct form by using "forte" without the article.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a strength

Replaces "forte" with a more common synonym but retains the article.

an area of expertise

Substitutes "forte" with a phrase indicating specialized knowledge, also retaining the article.

a talent for

Highlights a natural aptitude, keeping the article but shifting the focus.

a knack for

Similar to talent, but implies ease and dexterity, also with the article.

one's specialty

Indicates a particular area of focus and skill, using possessive pronoun.

a strong suit

An idiomatic alternative emphasizing capability, retaining the article.

a proficiency in

Highlights competence in a specific area, includes the article.

a demonstrated ability

Emphasizes proven skill, while adding the article.

a key skill

Focuses on skills that are important, also retaining the article.

a core competency

Emphasizes the most important skills or abilities, while still using the article.

FAQs

How do you use "forte" correctly in a sentence?

Use "forte" without the article "a" to describe someone's strength or area of expertise. For example, "Problem-solving is his forte."

What's the difference between saying "forte" and "a forte"?

The correct way to use the word is without the article "a". Saying "a forte" is grammatically incorrect. Use "forte" alone to indicate a strength or expertise.

What can I say instead of "forte"?

Alternatives include "strength", "area of expertise", or "talent", depending on the specific context.

Is it ever correct to say "a forte"?

In most contexts related to strengths or skills, it is not correct to say "a forte". The word "forte" should be used without an article in these instances. While some occurrences exist in text, this is generally considered incorrect.