skips

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "skips" is correct in written English.
It is typically used to describe the action of moving quickly or lightly over something, or to omit something. Example: "She skips down the street, enjoying the sunny weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The no-washing movement (and by that I mean umpteen blogs and online communities) skips the conditioner too, instead using "natural substances" such as egg, bicarbonate of soda, vinegar or just plain water.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Taylor skips down the track and flicks a single away, then Knight manages to blast one through the covers for a couple more.

The Guardian - Sport

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 5.55am BST05:55 Paul Ryan also briefly skips over the context of the question and instead lays into the Obama administration with a prepared speech.

The Guardian

I feel her happiness as she skips with delight at a newly discovered stick.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

His medication means he has extreme weight loss and Karen skips meals to make sure she can afford to feed Aaron.

The Guardian

MacInnes showed how under- represented this class of people was, especially in the media: "As one skips through contemporary novels or scans over acreage of fish-and-chips dailies and the very square footage of the very predictable weeklies... it is amazing - it really is - how very little one can learn about life in England here and now".

The Guardian - Books

My heart still skips a beat when I see it on the shelves.

The Guardian

The Islington house furnished from skips that was my first address is remembered by my mother as the backdrop to the happiest times of her life.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr Korda also deals interestingly with the convoluted genesis of Lawrence's great book, "Seven Pillars of Wisdom", which reveals much of its author's contradictory, even contrary, motivations.Mr Korda's prose skips along through 700 pages but he cannot resist the biographer's twitch of making pointless, speculative claims for his subject.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

First-round opponent: [15] Kevin Anderson (RSA) Smyczek skipped the European clay-court season entirely, opting to stay in the US and play some matches on the Har-Tru Challenger circuit in the southern US.

The Guardian - Sport

If economics is now skipped over quickly and the health service is an outright taboo, the old Cameron confidence still shines through on the two subjects he focused on.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "skips" to indicate omission, ensure the context clearly identifies what is being omitted. For instance, "The report skips crucial financial details" provides clear context.

Common error

Avoid using "skips" when you mean to describe a literal jump. "Skips" implies a light, quick movement or omission, whereas "jumps" describes a more forceful upward motion.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "skips" is as a third-person singular present tense verb. As Ludwig confirms, it describes an action performed by a singular subject in the present. The word can also function as a plural noun, referring to multiple instances of "skip", though the verb form is more common in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "skips" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term, as verified by Ludwig. It mainly functions as a third-person singular verb, indicating either a light, quick movement or the act of omitting something. Its usage spans across various contexts, including News & Media and Encyclopedias, with a neutral register that makes it appropriate for diverse writing styles. When writing with "skips", ensure clarity in context to avoid confusion with similar actions such as "jumps". The word has similar meanings such as omits and leaves out.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

omits

Highlights a deliberate act of excluding something.

passes over

Emphasizes a non-engagement or moving beyond something.

leaves out

Focuses on the act of intentionally omitting something.

by-passes

Implies avoiding something by going around it.

jumps over

Suggests overcoming an obstacle or transition with speed.

breezes through

Conveys a sense of ease and speed in accomplishing something.

glides through

Implies smooth and effortless movement or transition.

skirts around

Suggests carefully avoiding direct engagement with something.

neglects

Highlights a failure to pay attention to something.

disregards

Indicates a conscious decision to ignore something.

FAQs

How can I use the word "skips" in a sentence?

You can use "skips" to describe someone moving lightly and quickly, like "She "skips down the street"". It can also mean to omit something, as in "The presentation "skips over the details"".

What's a good alternative for "skips" when talking about omitting information?

If you're talking about omitting something, you could use words like "omits", "leaves out", or "passes over". Each carries a slightly different nuance but conveys the idea of something being left out.

Is it correct to say "he skips" or "he skip"?

The correct form is "he skips". "Skips" is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb "to skip".

What's the difference between "skips" and "glides through"?

"Skips" can imply a light, quick movement or an omission. "Glides through" suggests a smooth, effortless progression, without necessarily implying something is being omitted. For example, "She "skips through the park"" vs. "She "glides through the park"" indicates effortlessness.