learn skill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "learn skill" is not correct in English as it is missing an article or a preposition.
You can use it in contexts where you want to refer to acquiring a specific skill, but it should be modified for clarity. Example: "I want to learn a new skill that will help me in my career."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It will help them learn skill sets that will be useful in their careers.

Huffington Post

Second, learn skill sets that will make you be effective in creating change, you can do that through Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Speak Truth to Power education program, through Amnesty International, or any number of ways.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

You can learn skills.

The New York Times

"It helps them learn skills that can really be useful.

The New York Times

The workers learn skills they can use on the outside.

The New York Times

I immediately had to learn skills that many learn over a period of years.

The New York Times

"We believe people can learn skills on the job.

TechCrunch

We learn skills.

Huffington Post

They go to school, learn skills and earn a degree.

Huffington Post

Aim to learn skills of persuasion.

WikiHow

"I learnt skills in practice," he recalled.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use an article (a/an/the) or a preposition when referring to a specific skill to ensure grammatical correctness: "learn a skill", "learn skills", or "learn about a skill".

Common error

Avoid using "learn skill" without an article or preposition as it is grammatically incorrect. Instead, specify what you are learning: "learn a new skill", "learn specific skills", or "learn about a skill".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "learn skill" functions as a verb followed by a noun. However, it's grammatically incomplete, typically requiring an article or preposition. As Ludwig indicates, this structure is not correct in English without modification. Examples show variations like "learn skills" or "learn a skill" for correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "learn skill" is generally considered grammatically incorrect without an article or preposition. As Ludwig AI points out, it needs to be modified for clarity. Correct alternatives include "learn a skill", "learn skills", or "learn about skills". While examples exist across various sources, ranging from news to wikis, it's essential to ensure grammatical correctness by including necessary articles or prepositions. The intended purpose is to express the act of acquiring knowledge or competence in a specific area, and the appropriate register may vary depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquire a skill

Replaces "learn" with "acquire" and adds the article "a" for grammatical correctness.

develop a skill

Uses "develop" instead of "learn", emphasizing the gradual improvement of competence and adds the article "a" for grammatical correctness.

master a skill

Replaces "learn" with "master", suggesting a high level of proficiency and adds the article "a" for grammatical correctness.

pick up a skill

Uses the idiomatic expression "pick up" instead of "learn" to indicate informal acquisition and adds the article "a" for grammatical correctness.

cultivate a skill

Replaces "learn" with "cultivate", implying deliberate effort to nurture a skill and adds the article "a" for grammatical correctness.

gain proficiency in a skill

Replaces "learn" with "gain proficiency", focusing on achieving competence and adds the article "a" for grammatical correctness.

become skilled at

Shifts the structure to emphasize the state of being skilled, using "become" and "at" to denote ability.

study a skill

Emphasizes the formal learning or academic pursuit of a skill and adds the article "a" for grammatical correctness.

train in a skill

Focuses on structured training to acquire a particular skill and adds the article "a" for grammatical correctness.

educate yourself in a skill

Emphasizes self-directed learning or acquiring knowledge, especially related to a skill and adds the article "a" for grammatical correctness.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the phrase "learn skill" in a sentence?

The phrase "learn skill" is grammatically incorrect. You should use phrases like "learn a skill", "learn skills", or "learn about skills".

What is a more grammatically sound alternative to "learn skill"?

Instead of "learn skill", use phrases like "acquire a skill", "develop a skill", or "master a skill" for better clarity.

Which is the correct way to say, "learn skill" or "learn a skill"?

"Learn a skill" is correct because it includes the article "a", making the sentence grammatically sound. "Learn skill" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "learn skill" and "acquire a skill"?

"Learn skill" is an ungrammatical phrase. "Acquire a skill" is grammatically correct and means to gain possession of a new ability or competence.