measure of skill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "measure of skill" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a standard or criterion used to assess someone's ability or proficiency in a particular area. Example: "The competition will serve as a measure of skill for all participants, showcasing their talents and expertise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

For example, the difference in the chances of becoming long-term unemployed between college and compulsory education graduates is reduced to 3 pp. The U-shaped relationship is also present for our occupation-based measure of skill, with less skilled workers showing higher survival rates in the recession.

SERIEs

There will probably be more drafting, as in a stock-car race, and passing, requiring a certain measure of skill.

The New York Times - Sports

In the nineteen-seventies, there were only two chess players who had Elo ratings (a measure of skill level) higher than 2700.

The New Yorker

She likens using these kinds of gizmos to "something like fishing with dynamite" and describes it as "not a measure of skill".

The New York Times - Books

Meanness in hockey, according to people in the sport, involves the characteristics cited by Webster's dictionary -- being both bad-tempered and vicious -- while at the same time including a large measure of skill and expertise.

The New York Times - Sports

It was led by two veteran masters, Bill Kelleher and Joseph Fang. (Teams are made up of four players whose average rating — the measure of skill — must be under 2,200, the level of a master).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

This is the second straight year that educators have criticized the physics exam -- in fact, a group of superintendents from Westchester County and Long Island unsuccessfully sued the State Education Department last year on the ground that the exam was an inaccurate measure of skills.

The New York Times

Similarly, we use a recently introduced measure of skills mismatch at the macroeconomic level, alongside traditional measures of skills mismatch at the individual level.

Journal for Labour Market Research

We complement the measure of skills mismatch at the macro level with measures of overeducation and undereducation at the individual level.

Journal for Labour Market Research

While instrumenting numeracy skills by literacy skills addresses common concerns about test quality such as specific items on the numeracy test being a bad measure of skills relevant on the labor market, it ignores any earnings effects of domain-specific skills by considering only the returns to the skill component that is common to both skill domains.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

The scholastic equestrian competitions are measures of skill, of course, but luck can play a part, too.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "measure of skill", ensure that the context clearly defines what skill is being assessed and the method or criteria used for the assessment. For instance, "The coding challenge served as a practical "measure of skill" for aspiring developers".

Common error

Avoid using "measure of skill" in contexts where the assessment is subjective or lacks a clear standard. Instead of saying, "His artistic expression was a "measure of skill", consider specifying the criteria used for evaluation, such as technique or composition.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "measure of skill" is that of a noun phrase, functioning as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a standard or method used for evaluating competence. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "measure of skill" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to denote a method or standard for evaluating ability. While Ludwig identifies it as usable in written English, the frequency of its appearance is uncommon. It's seen across various contexts, including news, science, and business. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in defining the skill being assessed and the criteria employed. Alternatives like "skill assessment" or "proficiency metric" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is correct and suitable for various formal and informal writing situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skill assessment

Shorter, focuses on the process of evaluating skill.

proficiency metric

Replaces "measure" with a more formal synonym and "skill" with "proficiency".

skill gauge

Uses a more informal word, "gauge", for "measure".

index of skill

Substitutes "measure" with "index", implying a quantified assessment.

yardstick of skill

Uses a metaphorical term, "yardstick", suggesting a standard of comparison.

skill evaluation

Focuses on the overall evaluation of skill level.

competency measure

Replaces "skill" with "competency", emphasizing demonstrated ability.

ability assessment

Uses a more general word, "ability", instead of "skill".

talent benchmark

Emphasizes inherent talent rather than learned skill, using "benchmark" for comparison.

standard of skill

Focuses on a required level of skill rather than a method of measuring it.

FAQs

How can I use "measure of skill" in a sentence?

You can use "measure of skill" to describe something that assesses someone's ability, for example: "The final exam served as a "measure of skill" in mathematics".

What's an alternative to saying "measure of skill"?

Alternatives include "skill assessment", "proficiency metric", or "skill gauge", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "measure of skill" or "skills"?

The choice depends on context. "Measure of skill" refers to a single, specific ability, while "measure of skills" refers to multiple abilities. For example, "The test was a measure of writing skill", versus "The portfolio was a measure of artistic skills".

In what contexts is "measure of skill" most appropriate?

"Measure of skill" is suitable in contexts where there's a quantifiable or qualifiable way to assess competence, such as academic evaluations, professional certifications, or competitive events.