dexterity and agility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dexterity and agility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's skillfulness and quickness in physical movements or tasks, often in contexts related to sports, dance, or manual work. Example: "The gymnast's performance showcased her incredible dexterity and agility, allowing her to execute complex routines with ease."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The feat requires impossible dexterity and agility.

The Guardian

It is, rather, important for building the mental dexterity and agility required of great scientists.

The New York Times

Whiteside flashed tremendous dexterity and agility for his size, but most of his offense came at the rim, and he wanted to expand his game so that he wasn't a liability. .

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But, with Elling, his vocal dexterity, range and agility is always in service of The Song.

The Guardian - Music

The Star Wars Databank explains that the Force "granted him inhuman dexterity and speed, agility enough to quickly kill three Jedi Masters" (as depicted in Revenge of the Sith).

Wikipedia

When individual contributors are tapped to manage large-scale projects, oversee direct reports, or participate in strategic planning, they need to develop new skill sets on the fly — skills such as interpersonal dexterity, emotional agility, and communication savvy.

Harvard Business Review

Dexterity represents agility and reflexes.

WikiHow

"That kind of smart helps people and animals move with remarkable mobility, agility, dexterity, and speed".

BBC

LaDainian Tomlinson still has the lateral agility, receiving dexterity and, obviously, wisdom, to be a productive third-down back, but the Jets are depending on Greene to be their battering ram.

The New York Times

'Listen with your heartbeat' Africa is the continent of drums, but the drums of Burundi require extraordinary vigour, dexterity, agility and grace.

Unicef

The BOT-2 is composed of 53 items and provides a total motor composite score across 4 domains: fine manual control (fine motor precision and fine motor integration), manual coordination (manual dexterity and upper limb coordination), body coordination (bilateral coordination and balance), and strength and agility (running speed and agility and strength).

BMC Pediatrics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical abilities, use "dexterity and agility" to highlight both fine motor skills and overall body coordination, creating a comprehensive picture of physical competence.

Common error

Avoid using "dexterity and agility" when only one aspect is relevant. If you're describing a task that primarily requires fine motor skills, "dexterity" alone may suffice. Similarly, if it's about overall body movement, "agility" might be enough.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dexterity and agility" functions as a compound noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object to describe attributes or capabilities. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "dexterity and agility" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that refers to a combination of fine motor skills and overall body coordination. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most frequently used in neutral contexts, such as news reports, wikis and scientific papers, to describe attributes of physical competence. Related phrases include "skill and nimbleness" and "coordination and quickness". When using the phrase, ensure that both aspects are relevant to the context to avoid overemphasizing one particular skill. The alternative phrases and the usage examples provided by Ludwig, offer additional insights into the phrase's application and nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skill and nimbleness

Replaces "dexterity" with a more general term "skill" and "agility" with "nimbleness", which emphasizes quickness and lightness.

coordination and quickness

"Coordination" focuses on the harmonious functioning of body parts, while "quickness" highlights speed.

physical prowess

Highlights exceptional skill and ability in physical activities.

manual competence

Emphasizes skill and proficiency in using one's hands.

physical aptitude

Refers to a natural talent or ability related to physical activities.

fine motor skills

Focuses specifically on the coordinated movements of small muscle groups, particularly in the hands and fingers.

athletic ability

A broad term encompassing the qualities that make someone good at sports.

bodily coordination

Emphasizes the harmonious and efficient use of one's body.

swiftness and precision

Highlights both the speed and accuracy of movements.

grace and skill

Emphasizes elegance and proficiency in movement.

FAQs

How can I use "dexterity and agility" in a sentence?

You can use "dexterity and agility" to describe someone's physical skills, such as: "The dancer's performance showcased her incredible "dexterity and agility"".

What can I say instead of "dexterity and agility"?

You can use alternatives like "skill and nimbleness", "coordination and quickness", or "physical prowess" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "dexterity and agility"?

While both terms relate to physical skill, "dexterity" refers more to fine motor skills, whereas "agility" encompasses overall body coordination, so the phrase isn't necessarily redundant, depending on the context.

What's the difference between "dexterity" and "agility"?

"Dexterity" refers to skill in using one's hands or body, while "agility" is the ability to move quickly and easily. Therefore, while both terms are related, they describe different aspects of physical ability.