always been skilled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "always been skilled" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who has consistently demonstrated a high level of skill over time. Example: "She has always been skilled at playing the piano, impressing everyone with her talent since childhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

He had always been skilled with his hands, and he was athletic.

The New Yorker

She has always been skilled at tackling difficult subjects within a populist framework.

Independent

The staged photo opportunity turned out to be a last hurrah for a regime that had always been skilled at manipulating the media.

The Guardian

Brown has always been skilled at delivering in-my-day rants, going on about the hardships and realities of old-school players.

The New York Times - Sports

As the screenwriter for "To Kill a Mockingbird" (for which he won an Oscar, in 1963), Foote has always been skilled at piecing together small moments that build toward tragedy, and he does so in "The Day Emily Married," too.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

And he's always been very skilled at making things taste good".

The New York Times - Food

Writing headlines has always been a skilled job, but the web has introduced another layer of complexity.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Wall Street has always been very skilled at getting around rules, and this law will be no exception," said Frank Partnoy, a professor of law at the University of San Diego and a former trader at Morgan Stanley.

The New York Times

Makam, real name Guy Blanken, has always been a skilled producer.

Vice

A former lottery pick, Lopez has always been immensely skilled, but also was labeled equal parts soft defender and lackluster rebounder.

Huffington Post

The previous studies of typing skill had always been conducted with skilled typists (thereby leveraging the two-loop theory of the skilled typewriting).

Attention, Perception & Psychophysics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "always been skilled" to describe a person or entity that has consistently shown proficiency over a significant period.

Common error

Avoid using "always been skilled" when describing newly acquired skills or abilities. It implies a history of proficiency, so use it only when the skill has been demonstrated consistently over time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "always been skilled" functions as a descriptor, indicating a long-standing ability or expertise. As noted by Ludwig AI, it describes a consistent demonstration of skill over time. It modifies a noun, expressing a characteristic.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "always been skilled" serves to highlight a long-standing and consistent proficiency, documented by Ludwig AI, and is deemed grammatically correct for use in written English. While primarily encountered in News & Media and scientific contexts, its neutral register makes it widely applicable. Alternatives like "consistently demonstrated skill" and "longstanding expertise" offer similar meanings, allowing for nuanced expression. Remember to use the phrase when describing skills that have been shown consistently over a significant period to avoid misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consistently demonstrated skill

Replaces "always been" with "consistently demonstrated", emphasizing the continuous display of skill.

consistently shown aptitude

Uses "aptitude" instead of "skill", highlighting a natural talent that's consistently shown.

longstanding expertise

Emphasizes the length of time the skill has been present.

possessing a perennial talent

Uses "perennial" to suggest an enduring talent, a talent that's always there.

invariably proficient

Replaces "skilled" with "proficient" and "always" with "invariably", indicating unwavering competence.

habitually adept

Uses "adept" to describe skill and "habitually" to convey consistency.

known for exceptional talent

Focuses on the reputation of having great skill.

renowned for mastery

Highlights the reputation of having mastered a skill.

a history of competence

Emphasizes the record or past demonstration of skills.

proven abilities over time

Highlights the skills that have been proved effective and competent.

FAQs

How can I use "always been skilled" in a sentence?

You can use "always been skilled" to describe someone who has consistently demonstrated a particular skill or ability over time. For example, "She has "always been skilled at playing the piano", impressing everyone with her talent since childhood."

What are some alternatives to "always been skilled"?

Alternatives include "consistently demonstrated skill", "longstanding expertise", or "perennial talent", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "always been skilled" in formal writing?

Yes, "always been skilled" is appropriate for formal writing. While not overly formal, it's a clear and professional way to describe consistent proficiency. More formal options exist, like "demonstrated expertise", but "always been skilled" is acceptable in many contexts.

What's the difference between "always been skilled" and "has always been skilled"?

The phrase "has always been skilled" provides additional emphasis on the continued skill over time. While both are grammatically correct and have similar meanings, using "has" before "always" simply adds another level of emphasis on the duration of the skill. Both are acceptable.