key skills

USAGE SUMMARY

"key skills" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the skills that are necessary to succeed in a particular job or activity. For example, "Strong communication and collaboration skills are key skills for any job in customer service."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Collaboration and coordination are, again, key skills.

Harvard Business Review

How to present your key skills and experience.

The Guardian

What are my key skills, strengths and achievements?

The Guardian

Ruminating, daydreaming and imagining are my key skills.

The Guardian

I'd recommend including your degree and some relevant key skills.

The Guardian

This is illustrated within the context of supporting Key Skills.

Computers & Education

A strong profile is more preferable to a key skills section.

The Guardian

Add to this list any other key skills you have deployed elsewhere.

The Guardian

Charles Dickens' classic story offers a festive way for older students to develop key skills.

The Guardian

Flexibility, planning and prioritising are the key skills that help her avoid feeling stressed or overwhelmed.

The Guardian

The degree teaches key skills such as de-escalation (how to calm people).

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing required qualifications for a job, use "key skills" to clearly communicate the most important abilities needed for success in the role.

Common error

While "key skills" is a useful term, avoid overusing it within the same piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "essential abilities" or "core competencies" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "key skills" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It identifies specific abilities or competencies deemed most important in a given context. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is widely accepted and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "key skills" is a commonly used and grammatically sound term that refers to the most important abilities or competencies required for a specific task, role, or field. Ludwig AI confirms its broad acceptance and correctness. It appears frequently in news, science, and business contexts, highlighting its relevance across diverse domains. To avoid overuse, consider alternatives such as "essential skills" or "core competencies". When presenting "key skills", provide concrete examples to demonstrate their practical application and impact. The phrase is versatile and can be used in various formal and informal settings, making it a valuable addition to your writing vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essential skills

Replaces "key" with "essential", emphasizing the necessity of the skills.

vital skills

Substitutes "key" with "vital", highlighting the crucial importance of the skills.

critical skills

Replaces "key" with "critical", stressing the significance of the skills for success.

necessary skills

Changes "key" to "necessary", focusing on the required nature of the skills.

fundamental skills

Emphasizes the foundational nature of the skills, using "fundamental" instead of "key".

core competencies

Replaces "skills" with "competencies", providing a more business-oriented term.

essential abilities

Uses "abilities" instead of "skills", focusing on innate or developed capabilities.

vital attributes

Replaces "skills" with "attributes", highlighting inherent qualities or characteristics.

crucial proficiencies

Uses "proficiencies" instead of "skills", emphasizing expertise or competence.

required expertise

Substitutes "skills" with "expertise", stressing the specialized knowledge or skill.

FAQs

How can I effectively present my "key skills" in a job application?

Highlight your "key skills" by providing specific examples of how you've utilized them in previous roles. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate the impact of your skills.

What are some synonyms for "key skills" that I can use in my writing?

You can use alternatives like "essential skills", "vital skills", or "core competencies" depending on the context.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "key skills"?

The phrase "key skills" is suitable in various contexts, including job descriptions, resumes, educational materials, and professional development discussions. It's used to emphasize the importance of specific abilities for success.

What's the difference between "key skills" and "soft skills"?

"Key skills" is a general term referring to the most important abilities needed for a task or role. "Soft skills", on the other hand, specifically refers to interpersonal and communication skills, such as teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership.