naturally gifted

USAGE SUMMARY

'naturally gifted' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone who is exceptionally talented or skilled in a certain area without having to work especially hard or practice for it. For example, "He is naturally gifted in music and could learn to play any instrument without needing any practice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Kennedy was not a naturally gifted orator.

The New Yorker

Of course elite athletes are naturally gifted.

The New York Times

Men are not naturally gifted at barbecue.

Independent

Joyce was naturally gifted and pretty.

The New Yorker

I'm a naturally gifted left-footed footballer.

The Guardian

Andrei is a naturally gifted painter.

The Guardian - Film

He is a naturally gifted musician.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Jean is not the most naturally gifted musician.

The New York Times

Very few people are naturally gifted in this essential skill.

Harvard Business Review

But he was, he says, "never a naturally gifted swimmer.

The Guardian - Sport

But I still think he's more naturally gifted than Smith".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "naturally gifted", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific area or skill in which the person excels to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "She is naturally gifted", specify "She is naturally gifted in music".

Common error

Avoid solely attributing success to being "naturally gifted". Acknowledge the role of hard work, practice, and dedication, as these often complement and enhance natural abilities. Saying someone is "naturally gifted" can undermine their effort and perseverance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "naturally gifted" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase, typically describing a person or entity possessing inherent talent or skill. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's used to attribute innate abilities, such as being a "naturally gifted painter" or a "naturally gifted musician."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "naturally gifted" is a commonly used adjective phrase that describes someone possessing inherent talent. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in a variety of contexts, ranging from news and media to academic writing. It functions to emphasize innate abilities and is generally used in a neutral register. While it's important to acknowledge the role of hard work in addition to natural talent, using "naturally gifted" can be a powerful way to recognize and appreciate inherent skills. Remember to specify which field someone is "naturally gifted" in, to avoid ambiguity. Frequent authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times regularly use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

naturally talented

A direct synonym replacing 'gifted' with 'talented'.

innately skilled

Replaces 'naturally' with 'innately' to emphasize the inherent nature of the skill.

born with a gift for

Emphasizes the innate aspect of the talent, framing it as something present from birth.

inherently adept

Uses 'inherently' and 'adept' to highlight the natural and proficient qualities.

naturally inclined

Focuses on the natural predisposition or leaning towards a particular skill or activity.

a natural at

A shorter, more informal way of saying someone excels effortlessly.

gifted by nature

Inverts the original phrase to highlight nature as the source of the gift.

endowed with talent

Uses 'endowed' to suggest a bestowed or inherent quality of talent.

has a knack for

Indicates an intuitive ease and skill in a particular area.

predisposed to excellence

Highlights the inherent tendency towards high performance.

FAQs

How do you use "naturally gifted" in a sentence?

You can use "naturally gifted" to describe someone who possesses an innate talent or skill. For example: "She's a "naturally gifted" musician who can play any instrument by ear".

What's a good alternative to saying "naturally gifted"?

Alternatives include "naturally talented", "innately skilled", or "born with a gift for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "naturally gifted" or "highly skilled"?

"Naturally gifted" emphasizes innate talent, while "highly skilled" highlights acquired expertise through training and practice. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize inherent ability versus developed skill. A "highly skilled" individual isn't necessarily "naturally gifted".

Can "naturally gifted" be used in a negative context?

While typically positive, "naturally gifted" could be used sarcastically or to imply someone relies too much on their talent without putting in effort. The tone and context are crucial.