skill on something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "skill on something" is not commonly used in written English; the more standard expression is "skill in something." You can use it when discussing someone's proficiency or expertise in a particular area or subject.
Example: "She has a remarkable skill in graphic design, which sets her apart from her peers."

Wiki

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Somebody needs to have a skill on something, otherwise the group can't survive enough.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Greenpeace began with a handful of men and women in the port city of Vancouver on Canada's Pacific coast who volunteered their time, energy and creative skills and courageously took on something greater than themselves.

Huffington Post

Remember that the high self-esteem of those people, even if it's based on something (money, job, skill) is build up by themselves to compensate something else.

WikiHow

They're juggling duties with school, they have no time for friendships, but for six days they can focus on something that builds skills such as communication and teamwork.

The Guardian

But even if It doesn't, it will help your concentration skills and the ability to concentrate on something.

WikiHow

On the other hand, a factual observation based on expert knowledge and skill is something you can usually learn from and improve your skills by if you're prepared to listen to the core truths being expressed.

WikiHow

"Everyone needs to work on something, and all of my skills can be refined and made better.

The New York Times - Sports

If you click on the check box, you will select that skill as something you are good at.

WikiHow

"It could have been lack of professional skill on the part of the police or something else," he told reporters.

The New York Times

Everyone has some skill at something.

WikiHow

It's something you could list as a skill on your CV".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "skill on something", ensure the context clearly indicates a specific area of expertise. Although grammatically acceptable, "skill in something" is often preferred for clarity and common usage.

Common error

Avoid consistently using "on" when "in" would provide a clearer and more standard expression of skill or expertise. For example, opt for "skill in project management" rather than "skill on project management" for improved clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "skill on something" functions as a noun phrase where "skill" is the noun, "on" is a preposition linking it to "something", which acts as the object of the preposition. Ludwig provides examples where "skill" is linked to a domain or area of expertise.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

23%

News & Media

48%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "skill on something" is grammatically acceptable but less common than the preferred alternative "skill in something". Ludwig AI indicates that while understandable, it's advisable to use "skill in something" for clarity and broader acceptance. The phrase is used across various contexts, including news, wikis, and scientific publications, but its frequency is low. When writing, ensure that the context justifies the use of "on" and consider if "in" might be a better fit for smoother, more standard English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skill in something

Replaces "on" with the more common preposition "in", which is generally preferred for expressing skill in a specific area.

expertise in something

Substitutes "skill" with "expertise", indicating a higher level of proficiency and knowledge.

proficiency in something

Uses "proficiency" instead of "skill", highlighting the competence and ability to perform well.

talent for something

Replaces "skill" with "talent", suggesting a natural aptitude or inherent ability.

knack for something

Employs "knack" to indicate a special or intuitive skill, often implying ease and naturalness.

ability in something

Uses "ability" instead of "skill", focusing on the general capacity to perform a task.

adept at something

Shifts the structure to use "adept", an adjective meaning highly skilled, changing the grammatical construction.

competence in something

Substitutes "skill" with "competence", emphasizing the ability to meet specific requirements or standards.

mastery of something

Replaces "skill" with "mastery", indicating a comprehensive and deep understanding and control.

aptitude for something

Employs "aptitude" to suggest a natural inclination and potential for developing skill in a particular area.

FAQs

How can I use "skill on something" in a sentence?

While less common, you can use "skill on something" to refer to a particular ability applied to a specific task or area. However, "skill in something" is generally preferred. For example, you might say "He has a remarkable skill on the guitar", but "skill in playing the guitar" is more conventional.

What's a better alternative to "skill on something"?

A more common and widely accepted alternative is "skill in something". Other options include "expertise in", "proficiency in", or "talent for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "skill on something" grammatically incorrect?

While not strictly incorrect, "skill on something" is less conventional than "skill in something". The latter is generally preferred in formal writing and speech. Ludwig AI's analysis suggests the query is grammatically acceptable.

What is the difference between "skill on something" and "skill in something"?

"Skill in something" is the more common and generally preferred phrasing to indicate proficiency or expertise. "Skill on something" can be used, but it is less frequently encountered and might sound slightly awkward to some native English speakers.