his forte

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "his forte" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to someone's strong point or area of expertise. Example: "While he excels in many subjects, mathematics is truly his forte."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Doubleness is his forte.

The New York Times - Arts

That was his forte".

The New York Times

His forte is surprise.

The New York Times

Broking deals was his forte.

The Economist

Introspection is not his forte.

The New Yorker

Menacing characters were his forte.

The New York Times

His forte: Frank Sinatra.

The New York Times

Titles were his forte.

The Guardian

This was his forte.

The Guardian - Books

Goals though are not his forte.

Independent

Brezhnev was displaying his forte, cadres.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "his forte" to concisely and elegantly describe someone's area of expertise or greatest strength. It adds a touch of sophistication to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "his forte" in overly casual or informal contexts where a simpler phrase like "his strength" would be more appropriate. The phrase has a slightly formal connotation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "his forte" functions as a noun phrase, specifically a possessive determiner ("his") modifying the noun "forte". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is typically used to indicate someone's strong point or area of expertise, which is corroborated by the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "his forte" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote someone's strength or expertise. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, as showcased by Ludwig's examples, it carries a slightly formal tone, making it apt for professional contexts. Alternative phrases include "his strength" or "his specialty", offering simpler ways to convey the same meaning. When writing, it's advisable to use "his forte" in situations where a touch of sophistication is desired, while avoiding overly casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

his strength

Replaces "forte" with a more common and straightforward synonym.

his specialty

Indicates a particular area in which he excels.

his area of expertise

A more formal and explicit way of expressing his competence.

his talent

Highlights a natural aptitude or skill.

his strong suit

An idiomatic expression with a similar meaning to "his forte".

what he excels at

Focuses on the action of excelling rather than the area itself.

his domain

Implies a sphere or area where he is particularly skilled and knowledgeable.

his element

Suggests a situation or environment where he thrives and performs best.

his calling

Indicates a vocation or activity to which he is ideally suited.

his gift

Emphasizes an innate ability or talent.

FAQs

How can I use "his forte" in a sentence?

You can use "his forte" to describe someone's area of expertise or greatest strength. For example, "While he is skilled in many areas, programming is definitely "his forte"".

What's a simple alternative to "his forte"?

A simpler alternative to "his forte" is "his strength". It conveys a similar meaning in a more straightforward way.

Is "his forte" formal or informal?

"His forte" is generally considered to be slightly formal. It's appropriate for professional and academic writing, but might sound out of place in very casual conversation.

Can "his forte" be used for weaknesses?

No, "his forte" refers to someone's strengths or expertise, not their weaknesses. To describe a weakness, you could say "that's not "his strong suit"" or "that's not his area of expertise".