sharpening talents

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sharpening talents" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the process of improving or enhancing one's skills or abilities in a particular area. Example: "The workshop is focused on sharpening talents in creative writing, helping participants to express themselves more effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Players from second-tier countries, including the United States, are now sharpening their talents in the world's most competitive leagues.

The New York Times

Take any steps necessary to sharpen those talents you already have or to compensate for ones you lack.

Harvard Business Review

To most of the country, college is supposed to be a meritocracy, a reward to those who have worked the hardest and sharpened their talents.

The Washington Post

These are the guys who study high-school highlights in order to match wits with paid scouts and sharpen their talents for fantasy games.

The New York Times - Magazine

Gondry, who sharpened his talents on music videos, has no time for such meditative airs, and he makes Stéphane's dreaming as silly and scattershot as possible, so as to rebuke the stolidity of the mature world.

The New Yorker

Unlike Redgrave or Jackson, who studied at London drama academies, Smith was sharpening her talent on stage at the Edinburgh Festival doing sketch work in front of the harshest audience - the paying public.

The New York Times - Magazine

Nan will describe Middlebury's multiyear effort to protect in perpetuity a key 2,100-acre 2,100-acrermont's Green Mountarea that in home to Middlebury's Bread Loaf campus -- a reVermontpot where generations of writers have sharpened their talents in the presence of such luminaries as the poet Robert Frost.

Harvard University

The key is keeping a watchful eye out for chances to learn and sharpen your talents and to articulate your value to decision-makers.

Science Magazine

His reliance on his hearing has helped him sharpen a talent useful in politics: an ability to focus on people in a way that makes them feel that they were truly heard.

The New York Times

And although he said that he was still more comfortable creating abstract works, his training at the Bolshoi — still largely a home to narrative ballet — and his years at the Royal Danish Ballet, with its strong traditions of character dance and mime, further sharpened his talent for telling stories.

The New York Times - Arts

"He had great perseverance and did everything he could to sharpen his talent and work his way to the big club". A back injury during spring training in 1996 cut short his baseball career.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing professional development programs, use "sharpening talents" to convey a sense of focused improvement.

Common error

Avoid using "sharpening talents" when referring to acquiring entirely new skills; it's more appropriate for refining existing ones.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sharpening talents" functions as a verbal phrase, where "sharpening" acts as a gerund modifying the noun "talents". It is used to describe the action of improving or honing one's skills or abilities, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Academia

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sharpening talents" is a grammatically correct and understandable expression that signifies the act of improving or refining one's existing skills. According to Ludwig AI, while its usage isn't exceedingly common, it's generally appropriate for diverse contexts. Closely related alternatives include "honing skills" and "refining abilities". When writing, it's important to remember that this phrase is best used when referring to enhancing existing capabilities rather than acquiring entirely new ones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

honing skills

Focuses more on refining existing skills to a fine point.

developing capabilities

Emphasizes the growth and expansion of one's abilities.

refining abilities

Highlights the process of making abilities more polished and precise.

improving skills

A general term for making skills better.

cultivating gifts

Suggests nurturing and fostering natural talents.

perfecting aptitudes

Focuses on achieving mastery in specific areas.

enhancing proficiencies

Emphasizes the augmentation and improvement of skills.

advancing expertise

Highlights the progression and development of specialized knowledge.

boosting skillsets

Implies adding to and improving one's collection of skills.

fostering potential

Focuses on nurturing and encouraging the development of underlying talents.

FAQs

What does "sharpening talents" mean?

It refers to improving and refining existing skills or abilities to a higher level of proficiency.

How can I use "sharpening talents" in a sentence?

You can say, "The workshop aims at "sharpening talents" in creative writing" or "She's dedicated to "sharpening talents" to become a better musician."

What are some alternatives to "sharpening talents"?

You can use alternatives like "honing skills", "developing capabilities", or "refining abilities" depending on the context.

Is "sharpening talents" formal or informal?

It's generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the overall tone of your writing.