soft skills

USAGE SUMMARY

'soft skills' is correct and usable in written English.
Soft skills are personal skills that help you interact effectively and harmoniously with other people. For example, "She demonstrated excellent soft skills during the job interview, and was offered the position on the spot."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There are two solutions to this supposed soft-skills shortage, neither of which involve soft skills (which are harder to assess and train).

TechCrunch

These are known as soft skills.

The New York Times - Tech

But soft skills aren't enough anymore.

The Guardian

I'm a big fan of soft skills and emotional connections.

The New York Times

And our soft skills are a real weakness".

The New York Times

Secondly, donors need to recognise that soft skills matter.

The Guardian

The study delved further into demand for soft skills.

The Guardian

Research estimates that soft skills contribute £88bn to the economy.

Independent

Self-promotion is just one example of what Ms. Klaus calls the "soft skills" a subject she tackles in her latest book, "The Hard Truth About Soft Skills".

The New York Times

Soft skills: Today's consultants require well-tuned soft skills of listening and speaking, of cultural sensitivity in order to build empathy and trust.

The Guardian

She defined soft skills as including communication skills and analytical thinking.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the importance of "soft skills" in a job description, provide specific examples such as communication, teamwork, or problem-solving to make your requirements clear.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that "soft skills" are important. Instead, specify which "soft skills" are crucial for the context and explain why. For example, instead of "Good soft skills are essential", try "Strong communication skills are essential for effective teamwork".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "soft skills" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and the examples show it used to describe desirable qualities in individuals and the importance of these qualities in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "soft skills" refers to essential personal attributes that enhance an individual's ability to interact effectively with others, especially in professional environments. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely recognized. These skills, including communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, are highly valued by employers and contribute significantly to workplace success. While the phrase maintains a neutral register, its practical application spans across News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When discussing "soft skills", it's important to be specific about which skills are being referenced to ensure clarity and relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

interpersonal abilities

Focuses on the ability to interact effectively with others.

people skills

A more common and informal way to refer to "soft skills".

emotional intelligence

Highlights the capacity to understand and manage emotions.

social skills

Emphasizes the ability to communicate and interact effectively in social situations.

communication skills

Specifically refers to the ability to convey information effectively.

personal attributes

Broadly refers to qualities and characteristics of an individual.

employability skills

Highlights skills needed to gain and maintain employment.

transferable skills

Refers to skills that can be applied across different jobs and industries.

character traits

Emphasizes the inherent qualities of a person's character.

behavioral competencies

Focuses on specific behaviors that contribute to success in a role.

FAQs

How to use "soft skills" in a sentence?

You can use "soft skills" to describe abilities like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. For example, "Employers value candidates with strong "soft skills"".

What are some examples of "soft skills"?

Examples of "soft skills" include "communication skills", "interpersonal skills", "problem-solving skills", and "leadership skills".

What can I say instead of "soft skills"?

You can use alternatives like "people skills", "interpersonal abilities", or "emotional intelligence" depending on the context.

Why are "soft skills" important in the workplace?

"Soft skills" are crucial because they enable effective communication, collaboration, and problem-solving, which are essential for success in most jobs and team environments.