developing a skill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "developing a skill" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of acquiring or improving a particular ability or talent. Example: "She is focused on developing a skill that will enhance her career prospects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

There are no short cuts to developing a skill.

Harvard Business Review

He is at once determined to follow through with his decision, melancholy that he has to, and angry with himself for not developing a skill vital to big-time stable operators: he could not train his owners.

The New York Times - Sports

You should also define your goals — for example, developing a skill, learning about different aspects of a business or gaining exposure to new experiences on the job, Ms. Zachary says.

The New York Times

"If you've spent a long time developing a skill and techniques, and now some 14 year-old upstart can get exactly the same result, you might feel a bit miffed I suppose, but that has happened forever," says Eno. "It happened with synthesizers, on quite a formal level when string synthesizers first existed.

The Guardian - Music

"Autonomy, developing a skill set to be good at what you do, being affiliative with others, having a sense of connection to your community these are all things that we as researchers are fairly convinced are innate, evolved human tendencies that bring happiness," he says.

University of California, Berkeley

Such assignments can be useful in developing a skill and knowledge base.

University of Chicago

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

He developed a skill.

University of California, Berkeley

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

The Guardian

I've developed a skill that's different.

The New York Times - Sports

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

Harvard Business Review

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

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing personal or professional development, use "developing a skill" to emphasize active effort and progress. For example: "She is actively developing a skill in data analysis to advance her career."

Common error

Instead of saying "A skill was developed by the team", use the active voice: "The team focused on developing a skill in project management". Active voice is more direct and emphasizes the effort made.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "developing a skill" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a subject complement or part of a verb phrase, indicating an ongoing process of improvement. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, showcasing its role in describing active personal or professional growth.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Science

14%

Wiki

9%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "developing a skill" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that describes the active process of improving or acquiring a new ability. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for a variety of contexts, ranging from personal development to professional advancement. Common contexts include News & Media, Academia and Formal & Business. When using this phrase, remember to prioritize active voice for clarity and impact. Consider alternatives like "cultivating a skill" or "honing a skill" for nuanced meaning. By understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate usage, you can effectively communicate the ongoing journey of skill enhancement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cultivating a skill

Emphasizes nurturing and growing a skill over time.

honing a skill

Focuses on refining and perfecting an existing skill.

acquiring a skill

Highlights the process of gaining a new skill.

mastering a skill

Suggests achieving a high level of proficiency.

improving a skill

Indicates making progress in an existing skill.

enhancing a skill

Implies boosting the quality or effectiveness of a skill.

building a skill

Conveys the idea of constructing a skill from the ground up.

fostering a skill

Suggests creating an environment for a skill to grow.

nurturing a skill

Implies caring for and developing a skill with attention.

refining a skill

Focuses on making subtle improvements to a skill.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "cultivating a skill", "honing a skill", or "acquiring a skill" depending on the specific context.

How do I use "developing a skill" in a sentence?

Use "developing a skill" to describe the process of actively improving or acquiring a specific ability. For example: "He is developing a skill in public speaking to enhance his presentation abilities."

Which is correct, "developing a skill" or "skill development"?

"Developing a skill" is a verb phrase that describes an ongoing action, while "skill development" is a noun phrase that refers to the process in general. Use the former when describing active improvement and the latter as a subject or topic.

What's the difference between "developing a skill" and "learning a skill"?

"Learning a skill" focuses on the initial acquisition of knowledge, while "developing a skill" encompasses the entire process of improvement, practice, and refinement. You might learn the basics, but then focus on developing a skill through practice.