building skills

USAGE SUMMARY

It is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an activity or process that is intended to develop or improve a person's abilities. For example: "Attending this seminar was an invaluable experience for me, as it provided an opportunity to build my communication skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Very little money has been spent on building skills.

The New York Times

Develop relationship building skills: Collaborative research is hard work.

The Guardian

It's not about planning and career planning; it's about preparation and building skills.

The New York Times

It's an experience to learn building skills for us to take back to our communities.

The Guardian

The real difficulty was that it wasn't really building skills that they needed.

The Guardian

The quality of building skills available to us has been a gift".

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Thus, managers' team-building skills are essential.

Harvard Business Review

Some bought water filters; others learned fire-building skills.

The New York Times - Magazine

The politicians will need to use their consensus-building skills.

The Economist

But senior figures also take Mr Obama's coalition-building skills seriously.

The Economist

Perhaps those nation-building skills will be put to the test shortly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing career advancement or personal growth, use "building skills" to emphasize the proactive development of abilities. For example, "Continuous learning is essential for "building skills" relevant to the evolving job market."

Common error

While "building skills" is widely understood, it can sound slightly formal in casual conversation. Opt for more natural alternatives like "improving your abilities" or "getting better at something" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "building skills" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It describes the process or activity of developing competence in a particular area. Ludwig confirms its general acceptability and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "building skills" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe the process of developing or improving abilities. As Ludwig highlights, it's widely accepted and applicable across various contexts, although it may sound slightly formal in casual settings. Its prevalence in news media, science, and business underscores its versatility. When using the phrase, consider context and aim for natural alternatives like "skills development" or "skills enhancement" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skills development

Focuses on the process of enhancing skills rather than the action of creating them.

skills enhancement

Emphasizes improving existing skills, suggesting a refinement rather than initial construction.

acquiring competencies

Highlights gaining new abilities or qualifications, often in a formal context.

cultivating expertise

Suggests a more gradual and deliberate development of skills, often implying mastery.

fostering capabilities

Implies nurturing and encouraging the growth of inherent abilities.

enhancing proficiency

Focuses on improving the level of skill or competence in a specific area.

improving aptitude

Highlights increasing one's natural talent or ability in a particular field.

developing talents

Emphasizes the growth of natural abilities or gifts.

gaining knowledge

Focuses on acquiring information and understanding, which can contribute to skill development.

sharpening abilities

Suggests refining and perfecting existing skills to a higher degree.

FAQs

How can I use "building skills" in a sentence?

You can use "building skills" to describe the process of developing new abilities or improving existing ones. For instance, "Attending workshops is a great way of "building skills" in leadership and communication".

What are some alternatives to saying "building skills"?

Alternatives include "skills development", "skills enhancement", or "acquiring competencies", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "skill-building" or "building skills"?

"Building skills" is generally preferred when referring to the action of developing abilities. "Skill-building", used as an adjective, can modify a noun, such as in "skill-building activities". Both are correct but used in different grammatical contexts.

What is the difference between "developing skills" and "building skills"?

While similar, "building skills" often implies creating abilities from the ground up, while "developing skills" can refer to refining existing ones. The choice depends on whether the emphasis is on creation or enhancement.