skilled for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "skilled for" is not commonly used in written English and may not be considered correct.
It could be used in contexts where you want to express that someone is suited or qualified for a specific task or role, but "skilled at" or "skilled in" are more standard. Example: "She is highly skilled for the position of project manager."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Around the turn of the century, he said, metalworkers became too skilled for their own good.

The New York Times

He certainly has tremendous potential and is very skilled for a guy his size".

The New York Times - Sports

Their frustration is linked to being skilled for the 'wrong' profession," says Arulmani.

The Guardian

Layden said the 6-foot-8 Woods and the 6-10 Jeffries were skilled for their size.

The New York Times - Sports

The government selected the most skilled for resettlement and considered sending the unskilled and elderly to India".

The Guardian

Connecticut, which had 23 points from the senior guard Renee Montgomery, was just too deep and skilled for Rutgers, again.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The significant coefficients are higher in absolute value for skilled than for total migration; suggesting a higher impact of skilled migration.

IZA Journal of Migration

"Many people are over-skilled for the jobs they are are doing, which keeps wages low".

The Guardian - Business

Worker i is over-skilled for job j, i.e. η i >max j.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

Worker i is under-skilled for job j, i.e. η i <min j.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

Therefore, skilled immigrants may first not directly compete with natives,since they are typically male, young and often over-skilled for the job they do.

IZA Journal of Migration

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's abilities, consider using more common alternatives like "skilled in" or "skilled at" for clarity and wider acceptance. For example, "She is skilled in data analysis" sounds more natural than "She is skilled for data analysis."

Common error

Avoid relying heavily on "skilled for" in formal contexts. While grammatically acceptable, it's less conventional. Opt for stronger, more precise verbs or phrases to highlight expertise, such as "excels in" or "is proficient at".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "skilled for" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase indicating competence or suitability for a specific purpose or role. Ludwig suggests that while grammatically acceptable, it is less common than alternatives like "skilled in" or "skilled at".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "skilled for" is used to describe competence or suitability for a role or task. While Ludwig identifies it as grammatically acceptable, it's less common than alternatives like "skilled in" or "skilled at". It appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. When writing, consider using those alternative to ensure clarity and wider acceptance, particularly in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proficient in

Focuses on expertise in a specific area, using 'in' instead of 'for'.

adept at

Highlights skillfulness at a particular activity or task, substituting 'for' with 'at'.

qualified for

Emphasizes having the necessary qualifications or credentials, shifting the focus slightly from inherent skill.

capable of

Indicates a general ability or capacity to do something, broadening the scope beyond specific skills.

competent in

Implies a satisfactory level of skill or knowledge, similar to 'proficient in'.

well-suited for

Highlights the suitability or appropriateness for a role or task, differing slightly from innate skill.

experienced with

Emphasizes practical knowledge and familiarity gained through experience.

well-versed in

Suggests a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of a subject.

accomplished in

Indicates a high level of skill and achievement in a particular area.

trained in

Focuses on the formal training received in a specific area, rather than inherent skill.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to using "skilled for" in a sentence?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "proficient in", "adept at", or "qualified for" instead of "skilled for".

Is "skilled for" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, "skilled for" is less common and may sound awkward to some. It's generally advisable to use more standard alternatives such as "skilled in" or "skilled at".

How can I use "skilled for" in a sentence?

You can use "skilled for" to indicate that someone possesses the necessary skills or abilities for a particular task or role. For example: "David was perfectly skilled for his time."

What's the difference between "skilled at", "skilled in", and "skilled for"?

"Skilled at" and "skilled in" are more common and generally preferred. "Skilled for" can be used, but it's less frequent and might sound less natural. Using "skilled at" or "skilled in" will improve clarity. For example, compare "She's skilled at project management" and "She's skilled for project management".