skills at

USAGE SUMMARY

"skills at" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example, you could write, "He showed off his impressive skills at swimming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But skills, at least, can be taught.

The New York Times

I had no skills at all.

The New York Times - Magazine

He has no social skills at all.

The Guardian - Film

Do you use these skills at home on your family?

The New York Times - Magazine

But many leave college with no useful skills at all.

The Guardian

Students practice their recruitment skills at fake embassy parties.

The New Yorker

Members can hone their skills at their own comfort level.

The New York Times

They are transferable skills at the end of the day.

The Guardian

In particular, Qi admired Dinkel's skills at the wheel.

The New Yorker

His skills at this point should overshadow his popularity".

The New York Times - Sports

There weren't enough people with engineering skills at the time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "skills at", ensure the noun following 'at' is a gerund (verb ending in -ing) or a noun that represents an activity. For example, "skills at coding" or "skills at problem-solving".

Common error

Avoid using "skills at" with nouns that don't represent an activity or a process. Instead of saying "skills at management", which is grammatically correct but less idiomatic, consider using "skills in management" or "management skills".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "skills at" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, typically indicating competence or ability in a particular activity. As evidenced by Ludwig, the phrase connects the general notion of "skills" to a specific area of expertise or action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "skills at" is a versatile phrase used to denote competence in a specific activity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. While "skills at" is most frequently found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various types of writing. To ensure clarity, always use it with a noun that is a gerund. Consider alternatives like "proficiency in" or "expertise in" for variety. Be aware that, despite being correct, "skills at" is often replaced by alternatives with a higher degree of idiomaticity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proficiency in

Focuses on the level of competence rather than a specific activity.

expertise in

Implies a high level of skill and knowledge in a particular field.

competence in

Highlights the ability to perform a task effectively.

aptitude for

Emphasizes a natural talent or inclination toward something.

talent for

Similar to aptitude, but often suggests a more innate ability.

ability to

A more general term indicating the capacity to do something.

adeptness at

Highlights skill and quickness in performing an action.

mastery of

Suggests a comprehensive understanding and skill in a subject.

knack for

Suggests a natural and intuitive skill.

gift for

Implies an exceptional, often innate, talent.

FAQs

How do I use "skills at" in a sentence?

Use "skills at" to describe someone's proficiency in a specific activity or area. For example, "She has excellent "skills at negotiation"" or "He developed his "skills at problem solving" during the project".

What are some alternatives to using "skills at"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "proficiency in", "expertise in", or "competence in". For example, instead of "skills at coding", you might say "proficiency in coding".

Is it correct to say "skills in" instead of "skills at"?

Both "skills at" and "skills in" can be correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "Skills at" is often used when referring to specific activities or processes (e.g., "skills at writing"), while "skills in" can be used more broadly to refer to areas or domains (e.g., "skills in management").

Which is more appropriate: "skills at communication" or "communication skills"?

While "skills at communication" is grammatically correct, "communication skills" is generally more idiomatic and commonly used. The latter is a more direct and concise way to refer to abilities related to communication.