prowess

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "prowess" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun used to describe great skill or expertise, typically in a specific area. For example, "She demonstrated her incredible prowess in ballet by achieving a perfect score in her audition."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Hollywood film U-571 (2000), in which the Royal Navy's capture of an Enigma machine during the second world war is falsely attributed to an American crew (including chief engineer Jon Bon Jovi), was denounced in parliament by prime minister Tony Blair.

The Guardian - Film

U Myint Aye, aged 61, from Yangon, has a long track record of peaceful political activism.

The Guardian

Referring back to her iconic look in the Nothing Compares 2 U video – a huge international hit written by Prince – O'Connor admitted that she was asked by her label to reconsider her image for the 1990s video.

The Guardian - Music

In Britain, the US and France the top 1% have over the past 100 years seen their fortunes rise and fall and rise again in a U-shaped arc.

The Guardian - Business

Of these, Brundage sa id 85% – almost 600,000 – are unemployed even though many of them are employable.

The Guardian - Business

"This time it was União da Madeira, his eighth promotion, from the second division to the first tier (or seventh if we exclude last year as he was sacked before the end of the season): P. Ferreira 90-91, Académica 96-97, U. Leiria 97-98, Belenenses 98-99, Leixões 06-07, Arouca 12-13, Moreirense 13-14 and U. Madeira 14-15.

The Guardian - Sport

The U-6 number is around 13%, Yellen says.

The Guardian - Business

But on Thursday at an EU summit in Brussels, Luxembourg performed a U-turn and promised to hand over all the tax rulings to the commission after Vestager announced she was extending her inquiry to all 28 EU countries.

The Guardian

Indeed the pressure became so intense over the past 72 hours that the government was forced into an embarrassing U-turn over plans to cut allowances for younger disabled people in the republic.

The Guardian

"I guess it hurts 2 have the producers tell u to ur face that nicki is the best judge we've had since simon [cowell]," the rapper further tweeted.

The Guardian - Music

Amnesty is calling for the immediate release of Burmese human rights activist U Myint Aye, who is serving a life sentence for his alleged involvement in planning a bomb attack in the Shwepyitha Township in Yangon on 1 July 2008.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, specify the area in which the "prowess" is demonstrated: "technical prowess", "artistic prowess", "intellectual prowess".

Common error

Avoid using "prowess" in casual or informal settings. It can sound overly formal or pretentious when simpler words like "skill" or "talent" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "prowess" is as a noun, denoting exceptional skill or expertise in a particular activity or field. According to Ludwig, the word is correct and usable in written English, typically describing great skill in a specific area.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prowess" functions as a noun to emphasize exceptional skill or expertise, and according to Ludwig is perfectly correct and usable in written English. Though it is grammatically correct, its use should be reserved for formal or professional contexts to avoid sounding pretentious. While the term highlights a high level of competence, it's crucial to specify the domain in which the "prowess" is demonstrated for clear communication. Remember simpler alternatives like "skill" or "expertise" are usually better in informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skill

A general term for competence in a particular activity.

expertise

Indicates a high level of specialized knowledge or skill.

mastery

Suggests complete control and understanding.

talent

Implies a natural aptitude or skill.

proficiency

Denotes competence or skill in a specific area.

adroitness

Suggests skill in handling situations or objects.

dexterity

Emphasizes skill in using one's hands or body.

aptitude

Suggests a natural ability to do something.

ability

A broad term for the capacity to do something.

capability

Refers to the potential to do something well.

FAQs

How to use "prowess" in a sentence?

"Prowess" is used to describe exceptional skill or expertise. For example, "Her technical prowess allowed her to quickly solve the complex problem." You can also use the term as "displaying their prowess".

What can I say instead of "prowess"?

You can use alternatives like "skill", "expertise", or "mastery" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "prowess in" or "prowess at"?

Both "prowess in" and "prowess at" are grammatically correct, but "prowess in" is more commonly used and generally preferred. For example, "She demonstrated prowess in mathematics."

What's the difference between "prowess" and "ability"?

"Prowess" suggests a higher degree of skill and expertise compared to "ability". "Ability" refers to the general capacity to do something, while "prowess" implies exceptional skill and mastery.