prodigious skill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prodigious skill" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who possesses extraordinary or remarkable talent in a particular area. Example: "Her prodigious skill in painting has earned her numerous awards and recognition in the art community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

By the time he reached college, Deford had developed a singular focus on writing that helped him to develop his prodigious skill, but it did little for his college experience.

Princeton University

He has prodigious skill as an electric bassist — during an unaccompanied tear through "Greensleeves" he strongly evoked Stanley Clarke — and his 12-string rhythm-guitar playing showed an advanced understanding of harmony and orchestration.

The New York Times - Arts

"The Avengers" is an impressive feat of cinematic engineering, a work of prodigious skill and efficiency that carries out its cartoonish mission while addressing graver concerns — the construction of a post-9/11 revenge fantasy that takes place against the backdrop of unpopular foreign wars.

The New Yorker

"The Avengers" is an impressive feat of cinematic engineering, a work of prodigious skill and efficiency that carries out its cartoonish mission while addressing graver concerns the construction of a post-9/11 revenge fantasy that takes place against the backdrop of unpopular foreign wars.

The New Yorker

Ms. Datz' prodigious skill, intellectual prowess and vibrant essence entices Mr. Wendt's soul to inhabit the ceiling, walls and, finally, her heart so she may channel his classic forms.

Huffington Post

But to hear many of the world's greatest musicians talk about Riley B. King, the man born the son of a Mississippi sharecropper on Sept. 16, 1925, and who died Thursday at his home in Las Vegas, the only quality that transcended his prodigious skill in coaxing clarion notes from the electric guitar he called Lucille, or his soul-deep emotive power as a singer, was his generous human spirit.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Lucid polyphony is pervasive, lending credence to reports of Mendelssohn's prodigious skills as an organist.

The New York Times - Arts

Milsom is an artist's artist, with prodigious skills and an eye for a compelling subject.

The Guardian

This two-movement piece effectively showcased Mr. McClowry's prodigious skills as a soloist, including tastefully flamboyant improvised cadenzas.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Obama might like having the Bloomberg bankroll as a safety net, just in case his own prodigious skills at fund-raising suddenly fade.

The New York Times

They added: "He used his prodigious skills as a programmer and technologist not to enrich himself but to make the Internet and the world a fairer, better place.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's exceptional ability, use "prodigious skill" to convey a sense of awe and admiration for their talent.

Common error

Avoid using "prodigious skill" in casual conversations or informal writing. This phrase is best suited for formal settings or when emphasizing the exceptional nature of someone's abilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prodigious skill" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "prodigious" modifies "skill". Ludwig examples show it's used to emphasize an exceptional level of proficiency. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prodigious skill" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe an exceptionally high level of ability. According to Ludwig, its usage is more common in news and media, and academic contexts, and it is well-suited for formal writing where emphasis on extraordinary talent is desired. While alternatives such as "tremendous skill" or "immense skill" exist, "prodigious skill" carries a unique weight, emphasizing the remarkable nature of the ability. Remember to reserve this phrase for situations where the skill truly stands out, and avoid overuse in casual contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tremendous skill

Replaces "prodigious" with a synonym indicating great size or extent.

immense skill

Uses another synonym for "prodigious", emphasizing the vastness of the skill.

remarkable skill

Emphasizes the noteworthiness and unusual quality of the skill.

exceptional skill

Focuses on the skill being an exception to the norm.

extraordinary skill

Highlights the skill as being beyond what is ordinary.

outstanding skill

Indicates that the skill stands out from others.

great aptitude

Shifts from "skill" to "aptitude", suggesting a natural ability.

considerable talent

Replaces "skill" with "talent", emphasizing innate ability, and "prodigious" with "considerable".

masterful ability

Highlights the expertise and control associated with the skill.

deft proficiency

Emphasizes the quickness and skill in performing the task.

FAQs

What does "prodigious skill" mean?

The phrase "prodigious skill" refers to an extraordinary or remarkably great ability in a particular area. It suggests a level of skill that is beyond what is normal or expected.

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

You can use "prodigious skill" to describe someone who possesses exceptional talent in a specific field. For example, "Her prodigious skill in painting has earned her numerous awards."

What are some alternatives to "prodigious skill"?

Alternatives to "prodigious skill" include "tremendous skill", "immense skill", or "remarkable skill" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "prodigious skill" in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "prodigious skill" is more suited for formal writing or when you want to emphasize the exceptional nature of someone's abilities. In everyday conversation, simpler terms like "great skill" might be more appropriate.