a key skills

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a key skills" is not correct in English.
It should be "key skills" or "a key skill" depending on the context. You can use "key skills" when referring to important abilities or competencies that are essential for a particular job or task. Example: "The key skills required for this position include communication, teamwork, and problem-solving."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A strong profile is more preferable to a key skills section.

The Guardian

You can highlight these on the front page of your CV by including a key skills section.

The Guardian

For example, it can go in a "voluntary work" section (to replace, or as part of your work history section), or you can list it under education (while expanding on the skills you developed in a key skills section).

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Listening to others is a key skill.

The New York Times

As it turns out, that is a key skill.

The New York Times - Sports

What else do you ask? A. Writing is a key skill.

The New York Times

In ancient times, memorization was a key skill vital to preserving knowledge.

The New York Times - Magazine

Resilience is a key skill that you'll have to show on a daily basis as a solicitor.

The Guardian

Tech startups move very quickly and being able to deal with uncertainty is a key skill you have to develop.

The Guardian

Questioning and debating teaches us to think critically – a key skill no matter what you're studying – and online debate is a way to develop these skills.

The Guardian

If you have digitising skills then you would get on quicker as it's a key skill that people want to see.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If referring to a single, specific ability, use the singular form "a key skill". For example, "Adaptability is a key skill in today's rapidly changing work environment."

Common error

Avoid using "a key skills" as it's grammatically incorrect. Always ensure the noun (skill/skills) agrees in number with the article (a/no article). Either use "key skills" for the plural or "a key skill" for the singular.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a key skills" is generally intended to function as a noun phrase identifying important abilities. However, as pointed out by Ludwig, it is grammatically incorrect due to a mismatch between the singular article "a" and the plural noun "skills".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the intention behind using the phrase "a key skills" is to emphasize the importance of certain abilities, it's crucial to recognize that this phrase is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI highlights, the correct forms are either "key skills" (plural) or "a key skill" (singular). When writing, ensure the noun agrees in number with the article to maintain grammatical accuracy and credibility. Although this expression is found in some news and scientific contexts, proper grammar enhances clarity and professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a key skill

Corrects the grammar by using the singular form "skill" and the article "a", referring to one specific key skill.

essential skills

Replaces "key" with "essential", maintaining the plural form and the meaning of fundamental abilities.

fundamental skills

Uses "fundamental" instead of "key", emphasizing the basic and necessary nature of the skills.

critical skills

Replaces "key" with "critical", highlighting the crucial and indispensable nature of the skills.

vital skills

Uses "vital" instead of "key", stressing that the skills are essential for success or survival.

important skills

Substitutes "key" with "important", indicating that the skills are significant and valuable.

primary skills

Replace the "key" for primary, suggesting that the skills are paramount

necessary skills

Replaces "key" with "necessary", indicating that the skills are required or unavoidable.

required skills

Substitutes "key" with "required", suggesting that the skills are obligatory or demanded.

core competencies

Uses a more formal term, "core competencies", to refer to the essential skills and abilities.

FAQs

Is "a key skills" grammatically correct?

No, "a key skills" is grammatically incorrect. The correct forms are "key skills" (plural, referring to multiple essential abilities) or "a key skill" (singular, referring to one essential ability).

When should I use "key skills" instead of "a key skill"?

Use "key skills" when you are talking about multiple essential abilities or competencies. Use "a key skill" when you are referring to one specific essential ability. For example: "Teamwork and communication are "key skills" for success", versus "Adaptability is "a key skill" for navigating change".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "a key skill"?

Some alternatives include "an essential skill", "a crucial ability", or "a vital competency". Depending on the context, you could also use phrases like "a necessary skill" or "a fundamental skill".

How do I avoid making mistakes when using "key skill" or "key skills"?

Always check for subject-verb agreement. If you're talking about multiple skills, use the plural form "key skills". If you're talking about one skill, use the singular form "a key skill". Pay attention to the surrounding sentence structure to ensure grammatical correctness.