be skilled in

USAGE SUMMARY

"be skilled in" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to describe someone who is good at a certain activity or has the knowledge necessary to complete a task. For example, "He is highly skilled in cooking and baking complex desserts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Like Nick, I need to be skilled in diplomacy".

The Guardian - Arts

The students may be skilled in certain areas, from events management, advertising, public relations to business.

The Guardian

He is said by the authorities to be skilled in airport security operations, telephone card fraud and producing fake identification papers.

The New York Times

Singing is essential for sheng and dan roles; minor actors and actors of clown roles must be skilled in acrobatics that enliven battle scenes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Because his job is to make the fantastic seem viscerally real, the caricaturist must be skilled in the art of naturalistic representation.

The New York Times - Arts

The well-educated person was expected to be skilled in four arts: qi (chess, or probably go), shu (calligraphy), hua (brush painting), and the playing of the qin.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But to do a radical trachelectomy, she said, a surgeon has to be skilled in both working through a laparoscope to remove lymph nodes, and in operating through the vagina.

The New York Times - Health

One can expect at least some team members to be skilled in the use of the aforementioned computers and to have an academic background in something like psychology or animal behavior, which will prove useful later on.

The New Yorker

Nearly every Assamese household, irrespective of caste, creed, and social status, has at least one loom, and most women are expected to be skilled in producing fine silk and cotton cloths.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He wrote these dialogues in the vernacular, expressly for a broad urban public that would not be skilled in Latin: for the non litteratissimi cittadini, as he called them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But the Rev. Reginald T. Jackson, executive director of the Black Ministers Council off New Jersey, said that you don't have to be skilled in the art of crystal ball reading to know that the political influence of the State Police can be a difficult force to overcome.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "be skilled in" with measurable outcomes or specific examples to showcase the impact of their skills. For example, "He is skilled in negotiation, consistently securing favorable deals for the company."

Common error

Don't just state someone is "skilled". Specify the areas of expertise. Instead of "He is skilled," say "He is skilled in Python programming and machine learning."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be skilled in" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, indicating competence or proficiency in a specific area. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is appropriate and common in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

28%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be skilled in" is a versatile and frequently used phrase to describe someone's proficiency in a particular area. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness across diverse writing contexts. The phrase is most commonly found in science, news media, and encyclopedic sources, demonstrating its broad applicability. While alternatives like ""be proficient in"" or ""have expertise in"" exist, understanding the subtle differences in meaning allows for more precise and impactful writing. To maximize effectiveness, always specify the area of expertise and provide measurable outcomes to showcase the impact of the skills.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be proficient in

This suggests a high degree of competence, almost like an expert level. Proficient emphasizes mastery.

be adept at

Adept suggests natural skill and quickness in learning or performing. It highlights inherent talent.

be competent in

Competent indicates having the necessary ability or qualities. Competent focuses on adequacy.

have expertise in

Expertise emphasizes specialized knowledge or skill. It underlines deep understanding.

be well-versed in

Well-versed implies thorough knowledge gained through experience. Well-versed highlights comprehensive knowledge.

be accomplished in

Accomplished suggests a high level of achievement and refinement in a skill. Accomplished underscores mastery and refinement.

be talented in

Talented indicates a natural aptitude or gift. It accentuates innate ability.

be qualified in

Qualified emphasizes having the formal certifications or training. Qualified focuses on meeting specific criteria.

be experienced in

Experienced implies knowledge and skill gained through practical involvement. Experienced highlights gained practical knowledge.

have a knack for

This suggests a natural, intuitive ability. A knack highlights an inherent ease.

FAQs

How do I use "be skilled in" in a sentence?

Use "be skilled in" to describe someone's proficiency or expertise in a particular area. For instance, "She needs to "be skilled in" data analysis to excel in this role."

What are some alternatives to "be skilled in"?

Alternatives include "be proficient in", "be adept at", or "have expertise in", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "be skilled in" or "be skillful in"?

"Be skilled in" and "be skillful in" are both grammatically correct and have similar meanings, but ""be skilled in"" is slightly more common in contemporary usage.

What prepositions can follow "be skilled"?

While ""be skilled in"" is most common, you can also use "be skilled at" or "be skilled with", although these are less frequent.