core skill

USAGE SUMMARY

"core skill" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a basic skill that is essential for a particular job or activity. For example: "Management of people is a core skill for any successful business leader."

✓ Grammatically correct

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Oratory is a core skill.

The Guardian

Investment bankers' core skill is negotiation.

The Guardian - Business

This is the core skill of any successful leader.

The Guardian

It's not their core skill and they will recommend the decisions that suit themselves.

The Guardian

Writing ability is a core skill for all researchers and a poorly written CV will cast doubt on your suitability.

The Guardian

"The demands were built around his core skill, which was tap dancing, and his amazing rhythmic sense.

The New York Times - Arts

In reality, one of my core skill strengths is that I'm O.K. playing on an all-star team.

The New York Times - Magazine

Unfortunately the core skill cultivated by PPE (to eloquently spew bull) is not easily transferable to language-learning.

Independent

Richardson, whose official biography lists her core skill as "leading organisational change" - business-speak for kicking ass - is doing her homework.

The Guardian

Managing your own wellbeing is a core skill needed by all social care workers, to ensure they stay happy and healthy, and therefore motivated at work.

The Guardian

But don't knock knowledge – it allows us to make the connections and abstractions which are a core skill of creative thinking.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "core skill" to clearly define essential abilities needed for specific roles or tasks. For example, "Effective communication is a "core skill" for project managers".

Common error

Avoid using "core skill" as a general buzzword. Instead, clearly specify the skill and its relevance to the context. Saying "Teamwork is a "core skill"" is less effective than "The ability to collaborate effectively is a "core skill" for this project"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "core skill" functions as a noun phrase, where "core" modifies the noun "skill". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It identifies a fundamental capability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

29%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "core skill" is a grammatically correct and widely used term to denote an essential ability. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It functions as a noun phrase, typically found in neutral to professional contexts. Its purpose is to highlight fundamental capabilities required for specific tasks or roles. While highly frequent in Science and News & Media, it’s also quite common in Formal & Business settings. Alternatives include "essential skill", "fundamental skill" and "key skill". Remember to use "core skill" to clearly define abilities needed for roles, and avoid generic usage to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essential skill

Replaces "core" with "essential", emphasizing necessity.

fundamental skill

Substitutes "core" with "fundamental", highlighting the foundational nature of the skill.

key skill

Uses "key" instead of "core" to stress the importance of the skill.

critical skill

Emphasizes the crucial importance of the skill.

basic competency

Replaces "skill" with "competency", focusing on demonstrated ability.

primary ability

Shifts from "skill" to "ability", indicating a natural talent.

main expertise

Replaces "skill" with "expertise", highlighting specialized knowledge.

required capability

Focuses on the necessity of having the skill.

indispensable talent

Emphasizes the irreplaceable nature of the skill.

foundational expertise

Highlights the building-block nature of expertise.

FAQs

How can I use "core skill" in a sentence?

You can use "core skill" to describe an essential ability for a particular job or activity. For example, "Negotiation is a "core skill" for sales professionals".

What are some alternatives to "core skill"?

You can use alternatives like "essential skill", "fundamental skill", or "key skill" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "core fundamental skill"?

Yes, saying "core fundamental skill" is redundant because "core" and "fundamental" have similar meanings. It's best to use either "core skill" or "fundamental skill".

What's the difference between "core skill" and "soft skill"?

"Core skills" are typically technical or job-specific, while "soft skills" are personality-related and transferable, such as communication or teamwork.