develop a skill

USAGE SUMMARY

"develop a skill" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to acquire or improve a particular ability or talent through practice and experience. This phrase can be used in various contexts, such as in personal development, education, or in a professional setting. Example: It's important to continuously develop a skill set that is relevant to your career in order to stay competitive in the job market. Example: She spent years studying and practicing to develop a skill for playing the violin.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Like anything, you develop a skill through hard work".

The Guardian

As companies develop their skill at articulating demand, they will also develop a skill at fusion.

Harvard Business Review

"I give homework, because how are you going to develop a skill if you don't practice?" he said.

Stanford University

We help them develop a skill set like learning how to prune and how to tackle things in bite-size chunks".

The New York Times - Travel

Specialized programs of study offer focused subject concentrations that allow you to develop a skill set within a specific area or discipline.

University of California, Berkeley

They will have been forced to develop a skill set that will enable them to be uniquely competent partners, parents, and professionals.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

He developed a skill.

University of California, Berkeley

I've developed a skill that's different.

The New York Times - Sports

There are no short cuts to developing a skill.

Harvard Business Review

Hard work develops a skill base, and luck gives us the chance to apply that base.

Harvard Business Review

Still, Mr. Carney developed a skill while at Verizon as a safety coordinator, and he hopes now to make money in that field as a consultant.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing career goals or personal growth, use "develop a skill" to emphasize continuous learning and improvement. For example: "I plan to "develop a skill" in data analysis to enhance my career prospects."

Common error

Avoid implying that skills are solely innate. While natural aptitude exists, emphasize that skills require deliberate effort and practice. Instead of saying 'He was born with this skill', say 'He worked hard to "develop a skill" in this area'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develop a skill" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of acquiring or improving a particular ability. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's a commonly used phrase in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

29%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Science

13%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "develop a skill" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that emphasizes the action of acquiring or enhancing a specific ability. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across diverse contexts. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various situations, from academic discussions to news reports and personal development plans. The most authoritative sources using this phrase include The New York Times, Huffington Post and Forbes. When aiming for semantic variety, consider alternatives such as "cultivate an ability" or "acquire expertise". Remember to emphasize effort and practice when discussing skill development, avoiding the implication of solely innate talent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cultivate an ability

Replaces "develop" with "cultivate", implying a more gradual and nurturing process of skill acquisition.

acquire expertise

Focuses on gaining a high level of proficiency in a specific area.

hone your craft

Emphasizes refining an existing skill to a higher degree of perfection.

build competence

Highlights the process of constructing a solid foundation of skills and knowledge.

enhance proficiency

Stresses the improvement and augmentation of existing skills.

improve aptitude

Concentrates on enhancing one's natural inclination or talent for a particular skill.

gain mastery

Implies achieving a comprehensive and authoritative understanding of a skill.

nurture talent

Suggests fostering and supporting the growth of an innate ability.

foster expertise

Focuses on creating an environment that encourages the development of specialized knowledge and skills.

sharpen abilities

Emphasizes the process of refining and improving existing skills to achieve greater precision and effectiveness.

FAQs

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

You can use "develop a skill" to describe the process of acquiring or improving a specific ability. For example, "Taking online courses can help you "develop a skill" in web development."

What can I say instead of "develop a skill"?

You can use alternatives like "cultivate an ability", "acquire expertise", or "hone your craft" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "develop a skill" or "gain a skill"?

Both "develop a skill" and "gain a skill" are correct, but "develop a skill" emphasizes the process of improvement and refinement, while "gain a skill" focuses on acquiring a new ability.

What's the difference between "develop a skill" and "develop a skill set"?

"Develop a skill" refers to improving a single, specific ability, while "develop a skill set" refers to building a collection of related skills that complement each other.