extend skills

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "extend skills" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of improving or increasing a person's set of skills or abilities. For example, "This course will help to extend your communication skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It could include enabling opportunities to extend skills and experience, and may link into the concept of a career escalator.

BMC Family Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

This pattern is somewhat at odds with previous research findings about teaching practices in the U.S. For example, Hiebert et al. (2005) concluded from the 1999 TIMSS video study that, compared to higher performing countries, teachers in the U.S. spent more time completing repetitive exercises rather than applying and extending skills to new, different problems.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

Even though I was working my tits off, it was such a relief to finally feel like I was applying and extending skills that I enjoyed using in a job that could become a career.

Vice

The necessary management skills extend, therefore, beyond clinical skills or the operational skills of budgeting and planning, for example, to include the so-called 'soft skills' of leading organizational change, communication and motivating others (Brinkerhoff and Klauss 1985; Moore 1995; Mintzberg 2011).

Health Policy and Planning

It's the best opportunity to extend your skills.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Children are actively involved in productive tasks that combine and extend their skills.

The Washington Post

Strong motivation to learn about the EU and extend analysis skills in R is essential.

Harvard University

He gave breaks to young and eager broadcasters, giving them scope to create new formats and extend their skills.

The Guardian

More than 90% of students agreed that flipped classroom with cooperative learning enabled them to extend their skills.

Education for Chemical Engineers

Should the patients be protected from themselves, and more to the point, from their doctors who may be exploiting their hope to extend their skills and knowledge?

The Guardian

As an expert in learning theory and practice, you could extend your skills into corporate training, such as devising and delivering workshops, presentations, e-learning and supporting materials.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing professional development goals, use "extend skills" to highlight a desire to improve and broaden existing capabilities. For example, "I am looking for opportunities to "extend skills" in data analysis and project management."

Common error

Avoid replacing "extend skills" with overly complex or technical jargon. While phrases like "optimize competencies" might sound impressive, they can make your writing less accessible and clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extend skills" functions as a verb phrase + noun construction. It typically acts as a verbal phrase within a sentence, indicating an action related to improving or broadening abilities. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

32%

Academia

24%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "extend skills" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that effectively communicates the idea of improving or broadening one's abilities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. It is found across various contexts, including science, news media, and academia, making it versatile for professional and personal development discussions. When writing, remember to use this phrase to clearly express intentions to improve upon existing abilities, and avoid replacing it with overly complex jargon to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expand skill set

Replaces the verb "extend" with "expand" and uses the noun "skill set" instead of "skills".

broaden capabilities

Uses "broaden" instead of "extend" and "capabilities" instead of "skills", focusing on the overall potential.

develop expertise

Focuses on gaining deep knowledge and proficiency in a specific area.

enhance abilities

Highlights the improvement of existing abilities.

improve proficiency

Emphasizes the refinement of skill levels.

cultivate talent

Implies nurturing and developing inherent talents.

advance knowledge

Focuses on increasing one's understanding and awareness.

deepen understanding

Suggests gaining a more profound comprehension.

augment competencies

Uses more formal vocabulary to denote increasing one's capabilities.

hone techniques

Implies refining and perfecting specific methods.

FAQs

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

You can use "extend skills" to describe the process of improving or broadening your abilities. For example, "This workshop will help you "extend skills" in leadership and communication."

What are some alternatives to "extend skills"?

Some alternatives to "extend skills" include "expand skill set", "broaden capabilities", and "develop expertise", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "extend skills" or "improve skills"?

"Extend skills" suggests broadening the range of one's abilities, while "improve skills" implies enhancing the quality of existing ones. The best choice depends on the specific context and intended meaning.

What is the difference between "extend skills" and "acquire skills"?

"Extend skills" refers to building upon existing abilities, while "acquire skills" refers to learning new ones. For example, you might "extend skills" in project management, but "acquire skills" in a new programming language.