skilled to do

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "skilled to do" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when describing someone's ability or proficiency in performing a specific task, but it is more natural to use "skilled at doing" or "skilled in doing." Example: "She is skilled to do complex mathematical calculations" could be better phrased as "She is skilled at doing complex mathematical calculations."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Human resource issues, what are people skilled to do in Haiti?

Cornell University

The maternity support workers are now skilled to do so much more, from taking blood and inserting catheters to helping new mothers breastfeed.

The Guardian

"Our research shows health providers aren't adequately skilled to do this in a way that's sensitive, while some are great at it," she said.

The Guardian

If you have several activities, surround yourself by people who are most skilled to do it because you can't know all the areas, but you're a catalyst.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

When you find what their uniquely skilled to do, everything falls into place.

Huffington Post

However, many women end up with inductions because their doctors aren't skilled to do a D & X, and so the legal system has foisted a less safe medical procedure on them.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Getting two sets of eyes on the job can make solving a problem faster, improve the quality and even allow lower-skilled resources to do high-skilled work with a little over-the-shoulder coaching.

TechCrunch

Once your left hand becomes skilled enough to do do the job easily, there's no need to be impatient about your left hand becoming more skilled just because your right hand is even more skilled.

WikiHow

"We lack skilled people to do the job".

The New York Times

The kind skilled enough to do it themselves.

The New York Times

He wisely used an internationally prominent and skilled mediator to do so.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing skills relevant to a specific industry or job, highlight the practical application. For example: "The candidate is "skilled to do" data analysis, proficient in using various statistical software packages."

Common error

Avoid using "skilled to do" in highly formal writing or professional documents. While grammatically sound, it can sound less polished than alternatives like "proficient in" or "adept at". Choose the most appropriate phrase depending on the context and audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "skilled to do" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe someone's ability or competence in performing a specific action. As Ludwig suggests, while grammatically correct, it is less common than other alternatives.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "skilled to do" is grammatically acceptable, it's less common and may sound slightly awkward compared to alternatives like "skilled at" or "skilled in". Ludwig's analysis of real-world examples shows that it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. However, as Ludwig AI suggests, in more formal settings, alternatives like "proficient in" or "adept at" may be preferable. Therefore, consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when deciding whether to use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adept at performing

Replaces "skilled" with "adept" and uses "performing" instead of "to do", emphasizing the action.

expert in carrying out

Highlights specialized knowledge and proficiency in executing a task.

qualified for performing

Highlights the official certification or training for a task.

competent to execute

Employs "competent" and "execute" to convey the ability to carry out a task effectively.

trained to undertake

Focuses on the preparation and instruction received for a specific task.

proficient in undertaking

Uses "proficient" and "undertaking" to provide a more formal alternative.

masterful at completing

Indicates exceptional skill and expertise in finishing a task.

capable of handling

Focuses on the capacity to manage or deal with something.

equipped to manage

Emphasizes having the necessary resources or abilities to handle something.

able to accomplish

A general term indicating the power or means to achieve something.

FAQs

What's a more common way to express "skilled to do"?

More common alternatives include "skilled at" or "skilled in", depending on the context. Both are widely used and considered more natural in many situations.

How does "skilled to do" differ from "qualified to do"?

"Skilled to do" implies competence and proficiency, while "qualified to do" suggests having the necessary certifications, training, or experience. "Qualified" focuses on meeting requirements, while "skilled" emphasizes ability. The alternative phrase is "qualified to do".

Can I use "skilled to do" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "skilled to do" might sound less polished in formal contexts. Consider using alternatives like "proficient in" or "adept at" for a more sophisticated tone.

Is "skilled at doing" or "skilled in doing" always better than "skilled to do"?

Not always, but generally yes. "Skilled at" and "skilled in" are often preferred because they align with standard English usage and flow more naturally. However, "skilled to do" is understandable and grammatically acceptable, though less common.