core competencies

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "core competencies" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to refer to a particular set of skills that are essential for an individual or an organization to be successful. For example, "In order to succeed in this line of work, developing strong core competencies is key."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A. It's one of our core competencies at Accenture.

The New York Times

"That is one of their core competencies," he said.

The New York Times

Hamel gave the world "core competencies" and "strategic intent".

The New York Times - Books

These had been Wall Street's core competencies until they started betting shareholders' capital in the markets.

The New York Times

But trimming fat and consolidating divisions has become, in recent years, one of Yahoo's core competencies.

The New Yorker

"Both those companies have focused on their core competencies, but Bayer has not," Mr. Shrager said.

The New York Times

Kerry's "core competencies," the reporter said, were the economy and health care.

The New Yorker

Russian oil companies outsource what their Western counterparts would consider core competencies, explained Jacek Gawron, Halliburton's vice president for Eurasia.

The New York Times

Contrasts Spelke with Steven Pinker, who thinks that we are genetically encoded with many more core competencies than Spelke does.

The New Yorker

Take a good look at the core competencies listed as essential for the type of work you are applying for.

The Guardian

"We recognize the core competencies of our businesses," said Carl N. Kasalek, vice president for business development at Delta Wye.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When defining your organization's "core competencies", ensure they are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). This clarity aids in strategic planning and resource allocation.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating or misrepresenting your "core competencies". Inaccurate claims can mislead stakeholders and undermine credibility. Instead, focus on demonstrating verifiable strengths and expertise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "core competencies" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in identifying key strengths and capabilities of individuals, teams, or organizations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "core competencies" is a noun phrase that signifies fundamental skills or abilities, frequently employed in professional, academic, and business environments. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts. The phrase's prevalence in sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and Forbes underscores its relevance in contemporary discourse. When employing this phrase, be sure to accurately represent capabilities to maintain credibility. Alternatives such as "key capabilities" or "essential skills" can offer nuanced expressions of similar concepts. Defining your organization's "core competencies" with specificity enables effective strategic planning and resource allocation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

key capabilities

Focuses more on inherent abilities than learned skills.

essential skills

Emphasizes the necessary skills required for a task.

fundamental strengths

Highlights the basic strengths that underpin performance.

primary expertise

Stresses the areas of greatest knowledge and skill.

distinctive capabilities

Focuses on the uniqueness and differentiation of abilities.

unique skill sets

Highlights the combination of skills that are not commonly found.

main talents

Emphasizes innate abilities rather than acquired skills.

critical proficiencies

Highlights the skills essential for success and effectiveness.

basic qualifications

Focuses on minimum requirements rather than exceptional abilities.

central capacities

Underscores the idea of fundamental abilities and the means to achieve an objective.

FAQs

How to use "core competencies" in a sentence?

You can use "core competencies" to describe the fundamental strengths of a company, for example: "One of our "core competencies" is customer service."

What are some synonyms for "core competencies"?

Alternatives to "core competencies" include "key capabilities", "essential skills", or "fundamental strengths".

What's the difference between "core competencies" and "core skills"?

"Core skills" typically refers to individual abilities, while "core competencies" encompasses broader organizational capabilities that provide a competitive advantage. Therefore "core competencies" is usually more related with the business environment.

Is it appropriate to use "core competencies" in informal contexts?

While "core competencies" is often used in business and professional settings, it can be used in other contexts to describe essential skills or strengths. However, simpler terms might be preferred in informal communication.