and sharpened on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "and sharpened on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the process of refining or honing a skill, tool, or idea, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "Her skills were honed and sharpened on the challenges she faced during her training."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Nearly all the spear points were several inches long and sharpened on both sides.

The New York Times - Science

(A rack and skewers made from dried wood will burn). Skewers should be about ¾ inch in diameter and sharpened on the ends.

The New York Times - Food

They must have been Luddites, because they had no mowing equipment and no car with which they might have come to pick me up for my task — me and my giant, vintage scythe, which Elsa had found under the porch and sharpened on an ancient whetstone that happened to be lying around.

The New Yorker

If you have any elders, be sure to keep them fed and sharpened on their fighting (unless they are too old).

WikiHow

However, if an electrical stunning apparatus is not available, a sharp knife (with a blade no more than 1 cm wide and sharpened on both sides) can be used to penetrate the brain through the end of the beak groove in the back of the mouth before cutting the jugular.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Given that these are professions where a great deal of training and skills develop and are sharpened "on the job", the skills, expertise, and institutional knowledge of the older and more experienced workers may not be passed on.

BMC Health Services Research

The new outlook described in the strategic plan involves an increased emphasis and sharpened focus on understanding how environmental exposures affect human biology, and on applying that knowledge to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Every piece is hand made -- bent, shaped, smoothed and sharpened -- on machines he has himself has devised.

The New York Times

The BBC has said it has made Countryfile cover more "hard core" subjects and "sharpened" reporting on Springwatch following a report that criticised the corporation for being too "squeamish" about covering the realities of rural life.

The Guardian

If anything positive can be said of AIDS, it is that it awakened the world to the global resurgence of infectious diseases and sharpened the focus on the threat of new and emerging ones.

The New York Times - Science

Tujia, which includes Expedia-owned HomeAway, claims 400,000 listings and a focus sharpened on the Chinese market, both in terms of customers and home owners.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "and sharpened on" when you want to emphasize that something has been refined or improved through specific experiences or influences. It adds a sense of directed development.

Common error

Avoid using "and sharpened on" in purely literal contexts. The phrase is best suited for metaphorical descriptions where something abstract is being refined.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "and sharpened on" functions as a connector linking a prior action or state to the subsequent refinement or focusing of a skill, attribute, or idea. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "and sharpened on" is a grammatically correct conjunction phrase used to denote the refinement or enhancement of something through specific influences or experiences. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, though its frequency is relatively rare. Its primary contexts include News & Media and Science, with a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, ensure it's applied metaphorically to describe abstract concepts being honed, rather than in literal senses. Consider related phrases like "and honed on" or "and refined on" to vary your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

and honed on

Replaces "sharpened" with "honed", suggesting a more gradual and precise refinement.

and refined on

Uses "refined" instead of "sharpened", implying a purification or improvement process.

and focused on

Shifts the emphasis to concentration and attention, rather than sharpening.

and improved upon

Indicates a direct enhancement or betterment of something.

and developed on

Suggests a gradual growth and advancement over time.

and built on

Implies constructing or expanding upon a foundation.

and elaborated on

Focuses on providing more details and explanation.

and expanded on

Suggests an increase in scope or extent.

and capitalized on

Highlights taking advantage of an opportunity or strength.

and concentrated on

Emphasizes directing attention and resources towards a specific goal.

FAQs

How can I use "and sharpened on" in a sentence?

You can use "and sharpened on" to describe how experiences or influences have refined a skill, focus, or perspective. For example, "Her understanding of the issue was gained "and sharpened on" years of practical experience".

What are some alternatives to "and sharpened on"?

Alternatives include "and honed on", "and refined on", or "and focused on", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "and sharpened on" in formal writing?

Yes, "and sharpened on" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when used metaphorically to describe the refinement of skills or ideas. However, consider your audience and the overall tone of your piece.

What's the difference between "and sharpened on" and "and sharpened by"?

"And sharpened on" typically implies a specific area or focus where refinement occurred, while "and sharpened by" indicates the agent or means through which the sharpening happened. For example, "sharpened on the details" vs. "sharpened by experience".