have a good skill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have a good skill" is not correct in standard English usage.
It is not typically used in written English as it sounds awkward and unclear. Example: "To succeed in this job, you need to have a good skill in communication."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"They have a good skill base.

The New York Times

"We tell them that we work on building good skiing skills out of the park prior to going into it and that we have a small park that we won't move away from until the kids have a good skill set.

The New York Times

"I believe in this, I believe it's wrong that these drugs are prohibited, and I think I have a good skill set to move the conversation forward.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The empirical proportionality factor is found to reproduce accurately the variations of free IG wave energy in coastal areas, where it was calibrated, and also has a good skill at global scales.

Ocean Modelling

Technically he also had a good skill set and that encouraged me to give him an opportunity," he said.

BBC

"He's very charming," Lewis said, according to CBS. "I think he has a good skill set.

Huffington Post

York is doing well; unemployment is just 2%; it has a good skills base because of the university.

The Guardian

The association of both procedures can be easily performed after an adequate training by surgeons having a good skills level for arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics

Jump up to the housing near the door (behind the desk if you have purchased that upgrade) - you'll probably need to have a good acrobatics skill.

WikiHow

To the last question, Nurul said: "A parliamentarian is expected to have a good public speaking skill because their battle often takes place in a hearing where they propose their ideas".

Unicef

I have a good voice, dancing skills, and acting experience.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of saying "have a good skill", specify the skill and use verbs like "possess", "demonstrate", or "excel in". For example, instead of "He has a good skill", say "He possesses strong communication skills."

Common error

Avoid using "have a good skill" as a catch-all phrase for competence. Instead, be specific about the skills someone possesses. For example, don't say "She has a good skill"; instead, say "She is proficient in data analysis" or "She has excellent problem-solving abilities".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have a good skill" functions as a general statement indicating someone possesses a certain level of competence. However, Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not correct in standard English usage and sounds awkward. This is why it's better to be more specific.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

20%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "have a good skill" might seem like a straightforward way to describe someone's competence, Ludwig AI analysis reveals it is grammatically incorrect and awkward. It's rarely used and doesn't conform to standard English usage. Instead, it's better to use more specific and polished language, such as "possess a strong skill" or "excel in a particular area". Being specific about the skill and using stronger verbs enhances clarity and professionalism. Avoid this phrase in formal writing and opt for more precise alternatives for better communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possess a strong skill

Replaces "have" with "possess" for a more formal and grammatically sound construction.

have a valuable skill

Substitutes "good" with "valuable" to emphasize the importance or usefulness of the skill.

have considerable expertise

Replaces "skill" with "expertise" to suggest a higher level of proficiency and knowledge.

demonstrate proficiency in

Emphasizes the ability to showcase or prove one's skill in a particular area.

excel at a particular skill

Highlights exceptional performance or talent in a specific skill.

have competence in

Indicates a basic level of adequacy to perform a skill

are skilled in

Implies the person has skills in something specific

have developed expertise

This alternative indicates an improvement in the level of skill over time.

show aptitude for

Shows a natural talent for

are talented at

Being naturally good in something

FAQs

What is a more grammatically correct way to express the idea of "have a good skill"?

Instead of "have a good skill", you can use phrases like "possess a strong skill", "have a valuable skill", or "demonstrate proficiency in" followed by the specific area of expertise.

Is it appropriate to use the phrase "have a good skill" in formal writing?

No, the phrase "have a good skill" is generally considered awkward and grammatically incorrect in formal writing. Opt for more precise and standard expressions such as "have considerable expertise" or "excel at a particular skill".

What are some alternatives to "have a good skill" that emphasize a high level of competence?

To convey a high level of competence, consider using phrases like "have considerable expertise", "are skilled in", or "show aptitude for".

How can I be more specific when describing someone's skills instead of saying they "have a good skill"?

Instead of the general phrase "have a good skill", specify the area of competence. For example, instead of saying "He has a good skill", say "He is "talented at" problem-solving", "He "has developed expertise" in data analysis", or "He are skilled in project management".