deficient in skill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deficient in skill" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who lacks the necessary abilities or expertise in a particular area. Example: "The candidate was found to be deficient in skill, particularly in the areas of communication and teamwork."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Tacitus still practiced advocacy at law in 100 he, along with Pliny the Younger, successfully prosecuted Marius Priscus, a proconsul in Africa, for extortion but he felt that oratory had lost much of its political spirit and its practitioners were deficient in skill.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Conclusion: Anesthesiologists are deficient in skills for the interpretation of chest radiographs.

Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia

But most employers today think high school and college graduates are seriously deficient in skills like leadership and innovation, and we face a steep shortfall of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduates.

Huffington Post

The same surveys found an average of 40% of postsecondary graduates deficient in these skill areas.

Huffington Post

In the clinic I never really feel that I might be deficient in examination skills, I think that I am more likely to have deficiencies in knowledge to interpret… I am quite capable of doing a physical examination (year 3, group 2, student 8).

Advances in Health Sciences Education

Research shows that they are deficient in social skills, usually shy, unassertive, and passive and socially withdrawn.

The New York Times

Most of the characters are bundles of moral certainty, variously deficient in the skills of conversation but prolific in assertion, declamation and opinion -- opinion that will seem largely familiar to readers of his nonfiction.

The New York Times - Books

The movie was directed by Richard Eyre, who, famous for his many theatre productions here and in England, must have been worried that someone would say he was deficient in cinematic skills, because he sends the camera racing in and out of theatres and up and down streets in pointless dynamism.

The New Yorker

Pyzdek and Keller [8] suggested that a change agent deficient in soft skills would nearly always be ineffective.

International Journal of Quality Innovation

The growing need for fire safety engineering (FSE) design around the world has led to higher education degrees, many of which lack strong foundations in fundamental knowledge and are somewhat deficient in developing skills (application of knowledge) and appropriate attitudes (reflective assessment and synthesis of knowledge).

Fire Safety Journal

In the same way, students can do quite well on standardized tests but be highly deficient in academic skills that will undermine collegiate success.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deficient in skill", specify the particular skill that is lacking for clarity. For example, "deficient in technical skill" or "deficient in communication skill".

Common error

Do not use "deficient in skill" as a blanket statement without providing specific examples or areas of deficiency. This can come across as vague and unhelpful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deficient in skill" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a prepositional phrase. It is used to describe a state of lacking or having an inadequacy in a particular skill. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

17%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "deficient in skill" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a lack of proficiency in a specific area. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and widespread application across diverse contexts, including news, science, and business. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it often carries a professional connotation, particularly when used in formal assessments or reports. Related phrases include "lacking proficiency", "inadequate skill set", and "insufficient expertise". To ensure clarity, always specify the skill that is deficient. Common pitfalls include overgeneralization without providing specific examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking proficiency

Replaces "deficient in skill" with synonyms, focusing on the absence of required abilities.

inadequate skill set

Highlights the insufficiency of skills rather than deficiency.

insufficient expertise

Focuses on the lack of specialized knowledge or skill.

weak skill level

Replaces 'deficient' with 'weak', indicating a low level of skill.

poorly skilled

Uses a direct adjective to describe the quality of skill.

lacking competence

Emphasizes a lack of the necessary ability to perform a task successfully.

unskilled

A straightforward term indicating a lack of skill.

untrained

Implies a lack of formal instruction or practice.

inexperienced

Highlights a lack of practical experience, leading to deficient skills.

unschooled

Indicates a lack of education or training.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "deficient in skill"?

Alternatives include "lacking proficiency", "inadequate skill set", or "insufficient expertise", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "lacking in skill" or "deficient in skill"?

Both "lacking in skill" and "deficient in skill" are grammatically correct and widely used. The choice depends on the desired tone and context, with "deficient" often sounding more formal.

Which areas do people commonly find themselves "deficient in skill"?

Common areas include technical skills, communication skills, leadership skills, and problem-solving skills, depending on the profession and individual strengths.

How can someone overcome being "deficient in skill" in a specific area?

Strategies include targeted training, practice, seeking mentorship, and focusing on continuous learning and development in the identified area of weakness.