highly skilled

USAGE SUMMARY

"highly skilled" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone who has a high level of skill or expertise. For example: "John is a highly skilled carpenter and can build anything you could imagine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Were they highly skilled?

The Guardian

You're highly skilled.

The New Yorker

And Jade is highly skilled.

The Guardian - Sport

Lawrence was a highly skilled draftsman.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Highly skilled in every form of murder.

Independent

Ease the immigration of highly skilled individuals.

The Economist

French engineers and artisans were highly skilled.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That requires more highly skilled workers.

The Economist

It can employ more highly skilled staff.

The Guardian - Business

You highly skilled at not working".

The New Yorker

"He is just a highly skilled propagandist".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "highly skilled", be specific about the area of their expertise. For example, instead of saying "She is highly skilled", say "She is a highly skilled surgeon".

Common error

Avoid using "highly skilled" as a generic compliment. Ensure that the skill is relevant to the context and demonstrably present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly skilled" functions primarily as a pre-modifying adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating a high level of proficiency or expertise in a particular area. Examples on Ludwig show it being used to describe "workers", "engineers", "bowling", "personnel" and so on. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "highly skilled" is a commonly used and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe someone or something possessing great expertise. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase appears most frequently in news and media, scientific publications, and encyclopedias. To improve your writing, be specific about the skill and avoid generic praise. Consider using alternatives like "expert", "proficient", or "exceptionally talented" to add variety and nuance to your descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expert

Focuses on expertise and knowledge derived from skill.

adept

A shorter synonym, emphasizing quickness and ease of skill.

proficient

A more concise and formal way to indicate skill.

extremely competent

Emphasizes competence as the primary attribute, rather than skill.

highly trained

Stresses the importance of formal training in acquiring skill.

masterful

Implies a very high level of skill, bordering on artistry.

accomplished

Highlights achievements resulting from skill.

exceptionally talented

Focuses on innate talent rather than acquired skill.

gifted

Implies a natural aptitude and talent.

seasoned

Highlights experience as a source of skill.

FAQs

How can I use "highly skilled" in a sentence?

You can use "highly skilled" to describe someone with a high level of expertise. For example, "The company is seeking a "highly skilled" software engineer".

What are some alternatives to "highly skilled"?

Alternatives include "expert", "proficient", or "exceptionally talented" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "highly skilled" and "highly trained"?

"Highly trained" emphasizes formal education and instruction, while "highly skilled" focuses on demonstrated competence, which may or may not involve formal training.

Is it better to say "highly skilled" or "skilled"?

"Highly skilled" implies a greater degree of expertise than simply "skilled". The best choice depends on the level of proficiency you want to convey.