improving skills

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "improving skills" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of enhancing or developing abilities in a particular area. Example: "The workshop focuses on improving skills in communication and teamwork."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(increasing physical activity, reducing the daily intake of bread, eat fewer times a day, medication adherence improvement, self-monitoring of blood glucose, improving skills for insulin treatment).

BMC Public Health

Instead, these figures reflect improving skills at modelling a new disease accurately.

The Economist

It matters, because it is hard to rebalance the economy or boost productivity without retraining and improving skills.

The Guardian

Rethink unemployment insurance and increase public investment in improving skills, Furman argues.

Harvard University

Specifically, in CBT-AD, patients first receive a cognitive behavioral intervention focusing on improving skills related to medication adherence.

Cognitive and Behavioral Practice

Exciting challenges confront geoarchaeology in the form of persistent problems that demand satisfactory solutions, despite improving skills and innovative technologies.

Geomorphology

I knew it was important to balance earning with improving skills and employability but I found it hard to get a part-time job.

The Guardian - Opinion

As a result, laboring men and women are taking more responsibility for their careers, improving skills that they can market to many employers over their lives.

The New York Times

"Some short-sighted people will conclude that we should have fewer graduates, and that it is not worth studying or improving skills.

The Guardian

The focus of the retreats is on improving skills, so accommodation (some shared) is simple rather than plush and there is no TV – or Wi-Fi.

The Guardian - Travel

Frey suggests an increase in online learning will play a pivotal role here in improving skills across age ranges, to help fill those vital roles.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing educational or professional development programs, use "improving skills" to emphasize the tangible enhancement of abilities.

Common error

Avoid using "improving skills" as a generic statement. Specify which skills are being improved and how, to provide clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "improving skills" functions as a gerund phrase or noun phrase, often used as a subject or object in a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it correctly describes the action of making skills better.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "improving skills" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for denoting the process of enhancing one's abilities. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility makes it suitable for diverse contexts, ranging from news reports to scientific articles. While generally neutral in tone, it tends to lean towards a professional register. When using "improving skills", remember to be specific about the skills being enhanced to avoid vagueness. Consider using alternatives like "enhancing skills" or "honing skills" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enhancing skills

Focuses on making skills better, similar to improving, but with a slightly different nuance.

honing skills

Implies refining skills to a fine point, suggesting precision and expertise.

developing skills

Emphasizes the creation and growth of skills, rather than just making existing ones better.

refining skills

Suggests removing imperfections from existing skills to improve them.

advancing skills

Focuses on moving skills forward to a higher level.

cultivating skills

Implies nurturing and fostering skills over time, like growing a plant.

perfecting skills

Aims to achieve flawlessness in skills, suggesting mastery.

building proficiency

Highlights the construction of competence, suggesting a gradual process.

augmenting skills

Suggests adding to or increasing skills, often by incorporating new knowledge or techniques.

sharpening skills

Implies making skills more acute or effective, like sharpening a tool.

FAQs

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

You can use "improving skills" to describe actions taken to enhance abilities, as in "The course focuses on "improving skills" in data analysis and communication."

What are some alternatives to "improving skills"?

Alternatives include "enhancing skills", "developing skills", or "honing skills", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "skill improvement" or "improving skills"?

"Improving skills" is generally preferred as it describes an ongoing action or process. "Skill improvement" is also correct but refers more to the result or outcome of that process.

What is the difference between "improving skills" and "acquiring skills"?

"Improving skills" refers to enhancing existing abilities, while "acquiring skills" means gaining new ones. For example, if you already know basic coding, you might focus on "improving skills" in a specific language. If you've never coded before, you're "acquiring skills".