develop expertise

USAGE SUMMARY

"develop expertise" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to developing a skill or skills in a particular area. For example, "Dan has been working hard to develop expertise in computer programming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The court is intended to develop expertise and speed cases.

The New York Times

Yet media companies say there are significant reasons to develop expertise in early-stage investments.

The New York Times

They will develop expertise in communication, decision making, and complex problem solving.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's hard to develop expertise when you're attempting such a range of work.

The Guardian

The agency has not "begun to develop expertise for working overseas.

The New York Times

Licensed barbers can cut anyone's hair, but most develop expertise in a particular type.

The New York Times

These degrees will allow you to develop expertise in a specific area of medicine.

The Guardian

To reopen their doors, many businesses have had to develop expertise in flood protection, transportation and medical care.

The New York Times

A PhD or MPhil is an option for those who want to develop expertise in a particular area.

The Guardian - Money

Kent's strong European involvement means it is ideally placed to help young Romanians develop expertise in specialist areas".

The Guardian

The plan is to develop expertise by trying cloning techniques first on smaller, less endangered, green turtles.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "develop expertise", specify the area in which expertise is being developed to provide context and clarity. For example, "develop expertise in data analysis".

Common error

Avoid using "develop expertise" when referring to skills already mastered. Instead, use it to describe an ongoing process of learning and improvement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develop expertise" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, indicating an action aimed at achieving a high level of skill or knowledge. As shown by Ludwig, it's used to describe the process of building competence in a specific area.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "develop expertise" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that describes the process of acquiring significant skills and knowledge in a specific field. According to Ludwig, its primary function is to express the intention or process of becoming highly competent. It's considered to be of neutral to professional register, appearing most often in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts. To ensure clarity, specify the area of expertise you're developing. Avoid overstating your current skill level by using this phrase to describe ongoing learning rather than mastered abilities. The provided alternatives, such as "gain competence" or "cultivate mastery", offer nuanced options for expressing similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gain competence

Highlights the process of becoming capable.

build skills

Focuses on constructing or improving skills over time.

refine skills

Implies improving existing skills to a higher standard.

acquire proficiency

Focuses on gaining competence in a particular area.

enhance knowledge

Stresses the improvement and expansion of one's understanding.

cultivate mastery

Emphasizes achieving a high level of skill or knowledge.

hone abilities

Suggests sharpening or perfecting one's natural talents.

master techniques

Highlights the complete understanding and skillful application of specific techniques.

grow capabilities

Focuses on the increase of one's capacity to do something.

deepen understanding

Focuses on increasing the depth and complexity of one's comprehension.

FAQs

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

You can use "develop expertise" to describe the process of gaining skills and knowledge in a particular area. For example, "She is taking online courses to "develop expertise" in digital marketing".

What are some alternatives to "develop expertise"?

Alternatives include "gain competence", "acquire proficiency", or "cultivate mastery", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Is it better to say "develop expertise in" or "develop expertise at"?

"Develop expertise in" is generally preferred as it specifies the field or subject matter. "Develop expertise at" is less common but can be used when referring to a specific task or activity.

What's the difference between "develop expertise" and "gain experience"?

"Develop expertise" implies a deeper level of skill and knowledge acquisition, while "gain experience" refers to accumulating practical exposure to a particular field or task. You can "gain experience" without necessarily developing deep expertise.