acquired skill

USAGE SUMMARY

"acquired skill" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it any time you want to describe a skill someone has learned, either on their own or through instruction. For example, "He developed a finely-honed artistic eye through tireless practice of his acquired skill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's an acquired skill.

The New York Times - Sports

Another stealthily acquired skill is visualization.

The New York Times - Arts

It's an acquired skill to move your voice to neutral.

Harvard Business Review

An acquired skill includes both the learned actions and the learned slow feature representation.

Artificial Intelligence

It takes persistence and a degree of acquired skill to become really competent on the web.

The Guardian - Tech

In reality, knowing when to cite is as much an acquired skill as anything else.

The Washington Post

Making the case for research to legislators and their staff, however, is an acquired skill.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The ability to play the guitar well is an acquired skill that is developed with practice.

Cornell University

The study also showed that expertise is an acquired skill, not an innate one.

The New York Times - Science

But for all my newly acquired skill, Cronin's Yard would not appear.

The New York Times - Travel

Being a good presenter is more of an acquired skill than a born-with-it gift, enthusiasts say.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing how someone obtained a skill, use "acquired skill" to emphasize that it was learned rather than innate.

Common error

Avoid using "acquired skill" to describe talents that are primarily natural or inborn. "Acquired skill" should be reserved for abilities that are demonstrably learned or developed through effort and training.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acquired skill" functions as a noun phrase, where "acquired" modifies the noun "skill". It describes a specific type of skill, emphasizing that it is a result of learning or training. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acquired skill" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe abilities developed through learning and practice, as supported by Ludwig. It is versatile, appearing in diverse fields like news, science, and academia, indicating its broad applicability. While it is crucial to distinguish between acquired and innate skills, understanding the nuances of "acquired skill" helps in clear and effective communication. The examples provided by Ludwig offer a clear picture of how to use this phrase effectively, emphasizing the importance of learning and development in skill acquisition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Learned skill

Replaces "acquired" with "learned", emphasizing the process of learning.

Gained skill

Emphasizes the act of obtaining the skill.

Developed skill

Focuses on the gradual development of the skill over time.

Cultivated skill

Suggests a more deliberate and refined development of the skill.

Learned ability

Uses a more general term "ability" instead of "skill".

Mastered skill

Indicates a high level of proficiency in the skill.

Honed skill

Implies that the skill has been refined and sharpened through practice.

Attained proficiency

Focuses on reaching a certain level of competence.

Developed expertise

Implies a deeper and more specialized knowledge.

Developed talent

Uses word "talent", implying a certain level of natural aptitude.

FAQs

How to use "acquired skill" in a sentence?

You can use "acquired skill" to describe a learned ability, such as "Playing the guitar is an "acquired skill" that requires practice".

What can I say instead of "acquired skill"?

You can use alternatives like "learned skill", "developed skill", or "gained skill" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "acquired skill" or "innate skill"?

"Acquired skill" refers to a skill that is learned, while "innate skill" (though less common) would refer to a natural or inborn ability. Therefore, the correct choice depends on whether the skill was learned or natural.

What's the difference between "acquired skill" and "natural talent"?

"Acquired skill" refers to a skill that has been learned or developed through practice and training. "Natural talent" refers to an inherent ability or aptitude that a person is born with. For example, someone might have an "acquired skill" in coding, but a natural talent for music.