to develop skills

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to develop skills" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as discussing personal growth, education, or career development. Example: "As a language teacher, it is important for me to provide my students with opportunities to develop skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He will really start to develop skills".

The New York Times - Science

"We need to develop skills.

The New York Times

The school also supports parents to develop skills.

The Guardian

Another way to develop skills is through charity work.

The Guardian

They live in apartments on the farm, learn to develop skills, study and plan careers.

The New York Times

Others might be looking to develop skills or to get back into work.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It enables them to develop skills in conducting worship that they'd normally expect of a rabbi".

The New York Times

They should also partner with companies to develop skills and training programmes to tackle youth unemployment.

The Guardian

Prisons were insanitary, inhumane and violent and there were few chances to develop skills.

The Guardian

She says: "Working allows me to develop skills for future employment".

The Guardian

"They want an opportunity to develop skills so they are marketable in the long term".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing skill development, be specific about the type of skills being developed. For example, instead of "to develop skills", try "to develop communication skills" or "to develop technical skills".

Common error

While the phrase is generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make it sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "cultivate", "enhance", or "acquire" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to develop skills" serves primarily as an infinitive phrase, often functioning as an adverbial of purpose, indicating the reason for an action or activity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to develop skills" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that conveys the purpose of acquiring or improving abilities. As Ludwig AI states, it fits well in various contexts, from personal growth to career advancement. While "very common", it's wise to vary your language by using synonyms like "to cultivate skills" or "to enhance skills", especially in formal writing. Remember to be specific about the skills being developed for clearer communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to acquire skills

Highlights the act of gaining new skills or knowledge.

to improve skills

Suggests making skills better overall.

to build skills

Implies a gradual process of creating and strengthening skills.

to enhance skills

Focuses on improving existing skills to a higher level.

to strengthen skills

Focuses on increasing the robustness and reliability of skills.

to cultivate skills

Emphasizes nurturing and fostering skills over time.

to nurture skills

Emphasizes caring for and supporting the growth of skills.

to hone skills

Suggests refining and perfecting specific skills through practice.

to refine skills

Focuses on making small improvements to existing skills.

to master skills

Indicates achieving a high level of proficiency in specific skills.

FAQs

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

You can use "to develop skills" to describe the process of improving or gaining new abilities. For example, "The training program is designed "to develop skills" in data analysis and project management."

What are some alternatives to "to develop skills"?

Alternatives include "to acquire skills", "to enhance skills", or "to cultivate skills" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "to develop skills" or "to improve skills"?

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "To develop skills" suggests building skills from the ground up, while "to improve skills" implies enhancing existing abilities. The best choice depends on the context.

What's the difference between "to develop skills" and "skills development"?

"To develop skills" is a verb phrase that describes the action of improving abilities. "Skills development" is a noun phrase that refers to the overall process of acquiring or enhancing skills.