skillfully

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "skillfully" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone performing a task with great skill or expertise. Example: "She skillfully navigated the complex negotiations, ensuring a favorable outcome for her team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"No stage creature has ever been so skillfully and mordantly reduced to elemental essentials by a great artist," Johnson writes.He also considers the wry humour inSamuel Johnson's criticism, which "made us laugh, outwardly and, perhaps more important, inwardly".

The Economist

The attacks appear to have been carefully timed and skillfully executed.Some liken the situation to the early 1980s, a tumultuous period of bombs and assassinations that Mr Assad's father, Hafez, outlived through ruthlessness.

The Economist

Mr Scott grimaced weirdly and dodged questions less skillfully.

The Economist

He has two Indian portraits in the sale, including one of his patron, the Nawab, which is estimated at £30,000-50,000.The most attractive pieces feature faces that are so skillfully drawn you can almost tell how they will smile or whether you can trust them.

The Economist

Her likeable patriotism, fuelled by just the right dose of idealism that émigrés tend to harbour almost by default, is the connecting thread in the painful Czechoslovak history of 1937-1948 that she skillfully interweaves with a family memoir.The book is, above all, a journey of self-discovery.

The Economist

According the Indonesian president, Mr Obama greeted him in Indonesian and spoke a few pleasantries pretty skillfully before switching to English.

The Economist

What these games have in common is that, unlike poker, they are games of chance (although it is possible to play blackjack skillfully by counting cards, as Ben Mezrich writes in his best-selling "Bringing Down the House", casinos try to prevent this).Related items The charm of poker: It's like bridge, Ida, but with gunsMay 27th 2004Poker offers a different thrill.

The Economist

Santander skillfully sidestepped the troubles that led to the demise of rivals in Spain and abroad throughout the financial crisis.

The Economist

Led by Mr Gandhi's mother, Sonia Gandhi, and her chosen prime minister, Manmohan Singh, it has presided over a coalition government for the first time and more skillfully than many expected.

The Economist

In a 2001 photograph of Felicia Bartolotta Impastato, a pensive, elderly white-haired woman whose son Giuseppe was murdered by the Mafia in 1978, Ms Battaglia skillfully captures the fact that time does not always erode the pain of loss.

The Economist

With the troops at his disposal, the emperor fought the Battle of France skillfully, but he could not stop the allies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "skillfully" to emphasize the manner in which an action is performed, highlighting the expertise and competence involved. For example, "The surgeon skillfully performed the delicate operation."

Common error

Avoid using "skillfully" when describing actions that require luck or chance rather than skill. Instead of saying "He skillfully won the lottery", consider using "He luckily won the lottery."

Linguistic Context

The adverb "skillfully" primarily functions as a manner adverb, modifying verbs to describe how an action is performed. It indicates that the action is carried out with a high degree of competence, expertise, or adroitness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and presence in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

37%

News & Media

25%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

14%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "skillfully" functions as an adverb to describe actions performed with a high level of competence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical status and widespread usage across various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and science. While alternatives like "expertly" and "proficiently" exist, "skillfully" provides a balanced and widely applicable choice. To use it effectively, ensure the action genuinely involves skill rather than chance. Its neutral to professional register makes it suitable for formal writing, as using "skillfully" can enhance descriptions by highlighting the quality and expertise involved in an action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Expertly

Emphasizes the high level of knowledge and proficiency.

Proficiently

Highlights the competence and mastery of a skill.

Adroitly

Focuses on dexterity and cleverness in execution.

Deftly

Implies nimbleness and quickness in performing an action.

Competently

Stresses the ability to perform a task adequately and efficiently.

Artfully

Highlights the creativity and finesse involved.

Masterfully

Implies exceptional skill and control.

Gracefully

Focuses on the elegance and smoothness of the performance.

Cleverly

Emphasizes the intelligence and ingenuity applied.

Adeptly

Highlights natural talent and aptitude.

FAQs

How can I use "skillfully" in a sentence?

You can use "skillfully" to describe how someone performs an action with expertise or competence. For example, "She "skillfully" negotiated the contract", or "He "skillfully" avoided the difficult questions."

What words can I use instead of "skillfully"?

Alternatives to "skillfully" include "expertly", "proficiently", "adroitly", or "deftly". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say 'skillfully done'?

Yes, "skillfully done" is a correct and common phrase. It emphasizes that something was completed with a high degree of skill and competence.

What's the difference between "skillfully" and "effectively"?

"Skillfully" emphasizes the expertise and competence used in performing an action, while "effectively" focuses on achieving the desired result. You might do something "skillfully" but not "effectively" if the outcome isn't successful, and vice versa.