develop skills

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "develop skills" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a process of acquiring new abilities or honing current abilities. For example, "The program was designed to help young adults develop skills in communication and financial literacy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We need to develop skills.

The New York Times

He will really start to develop skills".

The New York Times - Science

The school also supports parents to develop skills.

The Guardian

Another way to develop skills is through charity work.

The Guardian

They develop skills in areas such as influencing and networking.

The Guardian

Between two contracts, you can do a workshop, develop skills".

The Guardian

We can all develop skills, but salespeople are somewhat born.

The New York Times

"I think swimming fast develops skills, and when you develop skills it doesn't equate to volume.

The New York Times - Sports

They live in apartments on the farm, learn to develop skills, study and plan careers.

The New York Times

A growing number are setting up programs to help employees develop skills in-house.

The New York Times

Others might be looking to develop skills or to get back into work.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "develop skills", specify the type of skills you are referring to for clarity (e.g., "develop skills in leadership", "develop technical skills").

Common error

Avoid using "develop skills" without specifying the context or area of skill development. Saying "the program helps develop skills" is vague; instead, specify which skills, such as "communication skills" or "problem-solving skills".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develop skills" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the action of improving or acquiring new abilities. Ludwig AI's examples confirm its usage in various contexts where individuals or organizations aim to enhance their capabilities. This encompasses a wide range of skills, from technical proficiencies to interpersonal abilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "develop skills" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase, indicating the process of improving or acquiring new abilities. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, its usage spans diverse contexts, including news, business, and academia. To maximize clarity, specify the type of skill being developed. While the phrase enjoys widespread use, it's best to avoid overgeneralization by providing specific context. Alternative phrases such as "acquire proficiency" or "enhance capabilities" can add nuance. Understanding its communicative function and register enhances effective use in various professional and academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquire proficiency

Emphasizes gaining a high level of competence in a specific area.

build competence

Focuses on the process of constructing a foundation of skills and knowledge.

enhance capabilities

Focuses on improving existing abilities to a higher degree.

expand skill set

Highlights adding new skills to an existing repertoire.

cultivate expertise

Suggests a deliberate and careful effort to gain deep knowledge or skill.

improve aptitude

Concentrates on bettering a natural ability or potential.

hone talents

Implies refining and perfecting natural abilities.

advance knowledge

Emphasizes the growth and expansion of understanding in a subject.

master techniques

Highlights achieving complete control and understanding of specific methods.

gain mastery

Suggests achieving a comprehensive and profound understanding of a subject or skill.

FAQs

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

You can use "develop skills" to describe the process of improving or gaining new abilities. For example, "Participating in this workshop will help you "develop skills" in public speaking."

What are some alternatives to "develop skills"?

Some alternatives to "develop skills" include "acquire proficiency", "enhance capabilities", or "cultivate expertise", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "skills development" instead of "develop skills"?

"Skills development" is a noun phrase referring to the process of developing skills, while "develop skills" is a verb phrase describing the action of improving or gaining abilities. Both are correct but used in different contexts.

What is the difference between "develop skills" and "gain experience"?

"Develop skills" refers to the process of acquiring or improving specific abilities, whereas "gain experience" refers to accumulating knowledge or expertise through practical involvement in an activity or field. You can "develop skills" through training, while you "gain experience" by doing things.