pick up skill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'pick up skill' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about someone gaining a new skill over a period of time. For example, "He has been trying to pick up the skill of speaking Spanish for the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

They pick up skills.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You must pick up skills, as far as communicating with an audience, by playing that much.

The Guardian - Music

Every time a film is shot in another state, moreover, the locals pick up skills that make subsequent shoots easier.

The Economist

The elite pick up skills and contacts at American universities, which help Mexican firms do business with their giant neighbour.

The Economist

Students often return for further study at different stages of their careers to pick up skills not covered at Masters level.

Independent

But many of us will pick up skills and, yes, even passions, well into our adult years that never manifested themselves when we were younger.

The New York Times

"Young migrants pick up skills, networks and funds".Brain drains can aggravate a bad situation, with so many people leaving a poor country that its problems worsen.

The Economist

At every site, he said he tried to pick up skills, carefully observing other workers, asking questions and later reinforcing the lessons by watching YouTube videos.

The New York Times

Apple's GarageBand, for instance, is a loose homage to the look of a traditional studio audio mixing board, and its digital tools allow amateurs to pick up skills quickly.

The Economist

It's certainly true that including a cookery class in your trip is a good way to pick up skills and help you get under the skin of your chosen destination.

Independent

You can pick up skills in unlikely places: Espensen's father ran a cottage industry making model planes, and when she was a student she "reluctantly" helped out, packing the kits and posting them out.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically correct, consider using the plural form "pick up skills" as it is more common and natural-sounding in most contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "pick up skill" when referring to inherent talents. Use it to describe a deliberate learning process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pick up skill" functions as a verb phrase indicating the process of acquiring or learning a new ability. Although, it's more common to find this phrase used as "pick up skills".

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically sound, the expression "pick up skill" is less common than its plural counterpart, "pick up skills". As Ludwig AI also confirms, it describes the process of learning or acquiring a new ability, often through informal or experiential means. For a more common usage, prefer "pick up skills". While context dictates the best choice, remember that "acquire a skill", "learn a skill" and "develop a skill" represent viable alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquire a skill

Replaces the idiomatic verb "pick up" with the more formal "acquire".

learn a skill

Substitutes "pick up" with the more general term "learn".

develop a skill

Focuses on the process of growth and refinement of the ability.

gain proficiency in a skill

Emphasizes achieving a high level of competence.

master a skill

Implies complete understanding and control of the skill.

cultivate a skill

Suggests careful nurturing and development over time.

hone a skill

Highlights the process of refining and perfecting an existing skill.

become skilled in

Shifts the focus to the state of being competent.

get the hang of a skill

Uses an informal expression for learning.

add a skill to one's repertoire

Emphasizes expanding one's collection of abilities.

FAQs

How can I use "pick up skill" in a sentence?

While grammatically correct, it's more common to say "pick up skills". You might say, "She hopes to "pick up skill" in coding during the summer internship" but better to say "She hopes to pick up skills...".

What is a good alternative to "pick up skill"?

Alternatives include "acquire a skill", "learn a skill", or "develop a skill", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "pick up skill" or "pick up skills"?

"Pick up skills" is generally preferred because it's more common and versatile. "Pick up skill" can sound awkward in some contexts.

What does it mean to "pick up skill" in a particular area?

It means to gradually learn and improve your abilities in that specific area, often through experience rather than formal training.