he is skilled at

USAGE SUMMARY

"he is skilled at" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used when discussing someone's talents or abilities. Here are some examples: - He is skilled at playing the piano. - She is skilled at public speaking. - They are skilled at problem-solving. - The chef is skilled at creating unique and delicious dishes. - Our teacher is skilled at motivating her students. - He is skilled at negotiating contracts. - She is skilled at managing large teams.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

He is skilled at doing so.

The Guardian

He is skilled at supplying disillusioned voters with arguments to sustain their rage.

The Economist

A native English-speaker (he was born in America), he is skilled at international networking.

The Economist

He is skilled at dealing with the press and with politicians, who value his support at election time.

The New York Times

He is skilled at generalizing the behavior of the "brown dads" and "brown moms" who raised kids like him: "Birthdays aren't their thing.

The New Yorker

Leslie, who speaks in a guru's murmur and dresses in ascots and caftans, knows how to flatter and charm; he is skilled at grooming his prey with lines like "It's not just about your perfect body; it's about your humanity".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Ostrovsky's humor has less to do with what he's saying than how he says it—he's skilled at milking monstrous amounts of affect from his hammy physical presence, even when the material is thin.

Vice

He's skilled at martial arts but rarely fights.

The New York Times

In part because he can't read, he's skilled at picking up on subtle clues.

The New Yorker

He suggested he was skilled at understanding women and nonverbal cues signalling sexual consent.

The Guardian

None of which means he's skilled at handling real-life firearms.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he is skilled at", follow it with a specific noun or gerund phrase that clearly defines the area of expertise. For example, "He is skilled at project management" provides more clarity than "He is skilled".

Common error

Avoid substituting the preposition "at" with other prepositions like "in" or "on" when the intended meaning is specific expertise or proficiency. Although "in" can sometimes be used, "at" is more commonly used.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is skilled at" functions as a descriptor indicating proficiency or expertise. It is an adjectival phrase where "skilled" modifies "he", and "at" introduces the specific area of competence, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he is skilled at" is a commonly used and grammatically sound way to describe someone's expertise or proficiency. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is prevalent across various contexts, particularly in news and media. It is appropriate for describing someone's abilities in professional and neutral settings. When using this phrase, ensure that you clearly specify the area of expertise to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "he is proficient in" or "he excels in" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Remember to choose the most precise and impactful phrase for your intended audience and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is proficient in

Replaces 'skilled at' with 'proficient in', emphasizing competence.

he is adept in

Substitutes 'skilled at' with 'adept in', suggesting natural talent.

he excels in

Uses 'excels in' instead of 'skilled at', highlighting superior performance.

he is competent in

Replaces 'skilled at' with 'competent in', indicating adequate ability.

he is talented in

Uses 'talented in' to emphasize innate ability rather than learned skill.

he is masterful at

Substitutes 'skilled at' with 'masterful at', suggesting a high level of expertise.

he has a knack for

Replaces "he is skilled at" with "he has a knack for", implying a natural aptitude.

he is highly capable in

Uses "he is highly capable in" instead of "he is skilled at", emphasizing a strong ability.

he is experienced in

Focuses on experience as the basis for skill, rather than innate talent.

he is versed in

Implies knowledge and familiarity, suggesting skill comes from deep understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "he is skilled at" in a sentence?

Use "he is skilled at" to describe someone's proficiency or expertise in a particular activity or area. For example, "He is skilled at negotiation" or "He is skilled at playing the guitar".

What's the difference between "he is skilled at" and "he is good at"?

While both phrases indicate competence, "he is skilled at" suggests a higher level of expertise or training compared to "he is good at". "He is good at" implies a more general aptitude.

What are some alternatives to "he is skilled at"?

You can use alternatives like "he is proficient in", "he is adept in", or "he excels in" to express similar meanings.

Is it correct to say "he is skilled in" instead of "he is skilled at"?

While "he is skilled in" can sometimes be used, "he is skilled at" is generally more common and natural-sounding, especially when referring to specific activities. Both can be grammatically correct depending on the context.