passable skill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "passable skill" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a level of skill that is adequate or acceptable, but not exceptional. Example: "While he may not be a master chef, his passable skill in the kitchen allows him to prepare decent meals for his family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The researcher said that O'Doul's tutelage probably enabled Cooper, who was 40 when the film was made, to bat and catch left-handed with passable skill, although throwing was another matter.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He started out with electric guitar, but followed his curiosity and became a multi-instrumentalist, adding bassoon and sarod to his serious instrumental palette, along with passable skills on trumpet, keyboards and saxophone.

Los Angeles Times

Anyone who has vaguely passable Photoshop skills and who has spent the last month fielding calls saying, "Hiya, it's Ginsters!

Vice

Can you Photoshop a vajazzle on a pasty?" And the person with the vaguely passable Photoshop skills looked at their bank statement sadly and then picked up the phone and said, "Yes".

Vice

With a combination of disarming folksiness and passable — though admittedly inexpert — photography skills, Mr. Stanton has achieved one of the most unlikely success stories in a city filled with them.

The New York Times

Ms. Scott Thomas singled out Jodie Foster, who studied at the Lycée Français in Los Angeles as a child and speaks near-flawless French and more than passable Italian, as someone with the skills to take the leap.

The New York Times

Until recently, creating passable currency required a significant amount of skill and access to technologies that individuals usually do not own, such as printing presses, engraving plates, and special inks.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The acting skills are perky but only passable.

The New York Times

Even today, I imagine that someone with middling coding skills could patch together a passable Economist-editorial generator with a few days work.

The New York Times

The challenge represented by Brazil, at least in theory rather than the underwhelming reality, might have built in more vulnerable young minds – and especially when Scolari's audition moved on to a passable level of commitment with a piece of thrilling scoring skill by a man who at that moment seemed poorly served by his stage name Fred.

Independent

Opinions vary amongst historians as to the military skill shown by John during this campaign, with most recent historians arguing that his performance was passable, although not impressive.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's abilities, use "passable skill" to indicate they are competent enough to perform a task, but not exceptionally talented. This is useful in providing a balanced assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "passable skill" when the individual excels or has advanced proficiency. "Passable" suggests adequacy, not superiority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passable skill" functions as an adjective-noun combination, modifying the noun "skill" with the adjective "passable." As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a skill level that is adequate or acceptable, but not outstanding.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "passable skill" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an adequate but not exceptional level of ability. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. Its usage is relatively uncommon, primarily found in news and media contexts. When writing, it's crucial to avoid overstating competence and to choose this phrase when the skill level is truly adequate rather than superior. Alternatives like "adequate ability" or "sufficient competence" can be considered depending on the desired nuance. Therefore, "passable skill" offers a balanced and objective way to assess and communicate someone's capabilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adequate ability

Emphasizes sufficiency for a given purpose but lacks suggestion of excellence.

sufficient competence

Highlights the meeting of a minimum requirement or standard.

reasonable proficiency

Implies a moderate level of expertise or skill.

basic competence

Focuses on fundamental skills, suggesting a rudimentary level.

moderate expertise

Conveys a middle-ground level of capability, avoiding extremes.

serviceable aptitude

Implies a usable level of talent or ability, but not outstanding.

tolerable capacity

Suggests that the skill level is just acceptable, with possible flaws.

workmanlike capability

Highlights a functional, efficient skill level suitable for routine tasks.

modest talent

Indicates an unassuming level of skill, not particularly remarkable.

rudimentary know-how

Emphasizes a very basic understanding and ability in a particular area.

FAQs

How can I use "passable skill" in a sentence?

You can use "passable skill" to describe a level of competence that is adequate but not outstanding. For example: "He possesses a passable skill in playing the guitar, enough to entertain friends."

What are some alternatives to "passable skill"?

Some alternatives include "adequate ability", "sufficient competence", or "reasonable proficiency" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "passable skill" in a formal setting?

Yes, "passable skill" is appropriate in formal settings when providing an objective assessment of someone's abilities. However, consider using more precise language if a detailed evaluation is needed.

What's the difference between "passable skill" and "exceptional skill"?

"Passable skill" implies a basic level of competence that meets minimum requirements, while "exceptional skill" suggests a high degree of proficiency and expertise. "Exceptional skill" indicates mastery and stands out from the ordinary.