skills to

USAGE SUMMARY

"skills to" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the skills necessary to accomplish a task. For example, "He is learning the skills to become an expert programmer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It takes skills to negotiate a settlement.

Independent

It has matched workers' skills to jobs.

The New York Times

Or different skills to manage new donors?

The Guardian

He has political skills to burn.

The Guardian - Books

Do you need specific skills to apply?

The Guardian

"You want the student who has enough skills to survive".

The New York Times

He should bring the same skills to Albany.

The New York Times

More business skills to focus on supporting economic development?

The Guardian

"There are skills to it, which she hasn't learned.

The Guardian - Sport

"They were thirsty for the skills to make a living".

The New York Times

How to portray the advantages of language skills to recruiters.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "skills to", ensure you clearly define what the skills enable you to do. For example, instead of saying "He has the skills to," specify "He has the skills to manage a team effectively."

Common error

Avoid using "skills to" without providing specific context. Saying someone has the "skills to succeed" is vague. Instead, identify the exact skills that contribute to their potential success, such as "problem-solving skills" or "communication skills".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "skills to" typically functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun, indicating the possession of abilities necessary for a certain action. Ludwig shows the wide applicability of this phrase in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Wiki

16%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "skills to" is a versatile and widely used expression for indicating the abilities required for a specific purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. As demonstrated by the numerous examples from various reputable sources, "skills to" is frequently found in news, media, wiki, and scientific contexts. To enhance clarity, always specify the skills you are referring to and the actions they enable. Consider using alternatives such as "abilities for" or "expertise for" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abilities for

Replaces "skills" with "abilities", emphasizing the capacity to do something.

expertise for

Substitutes "skills" with "expertise", suggesting a higher level of proficiency and specialized knowledge.

competencies for

Replaces "skills" with "competencies", focusing on the required standards and abilities.

capabilities for

Substitutes "skills" with "capabilities", highlighting inherent or developed potential.

aptitude for

Replaces "skills" with "aptitude", emphasizing a natural talent or inclination.

talent for

Substitutes "skills" with "talent", suggesting an innate ability or gift.

knowledge to

Replaces "skills" with "knowledge", focusing on understanding and awareness.

qualifications for

Substitutes "skills" with "qualifications", emphasizing formal credentials and proven abilities.

capacity to

Highlights the general ability or power to do something, instead of specific learned skills.

know-how to

Replaces "skills" with "know-how", suggesting practical knowledge and ability.

FAQs

How can I use "skills to" in a sentence?

Use "skills to" to describe the abilities needed to perform a specific task. For example, "She developed the "skills to" become a successful surgeon."

What are some alternatives to using "skills to"?

You can use phrases like "abilities for", "expertise for", or "competencies for" depending on the specific context. For example, "He has the "abilities for" leadership."

Is it better to say "skills to" or "skills for"?

While both are acceptable, "skills to" is generally used to describe the ability to perform an action, while "skills for" describes abilities related to a particular purpose. Consider using "skills to" when the phrase is followed by a verb. For example, "He needs the "skills to" negotiate effectively."

How do I emphasize the importance of specific skills using "skills to"?

To highlight the significance of particular skills, specify them directly and connect them to the desired outcome. For instance, "She needs strong analytical "skills to" solve complex problems."