to skip

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to skip" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of omitting or bypassing something, such as a step in a process or a part of a text. Example: "If you're short on time, you can choose to skip the introduction and go straight to the main content."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Decided to skip instant book.

The New Yorker

He likes to skip school.

The Guardian

Movieguide elected to skip it.

The New Yorker

He decided to skip it.

The New York Times

Maybe best to skip that entire angle.

The New Yorker

Ramjee tried to skip past the question.

The New Yorker

I decided to skip the loan.

The New York Times

Gonzales decided to skip Dowling Music.

The New Yorker

At home, families have to skip meals.

The New York Times

He chose to skip the scan.

The New York Times

You might want to skip the Maclaren.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to skip", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being omitted or bypassed to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "to skip" when a more precise verb like "omit", "bypass", or "ignore" would better convey the specific nuance of the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to skip" functions primarily as an infinitive verb phrase. It is used to describe the action of omitting, bypassing, or avoiding something. This is confirmed by Ludwig's examples, which show it used in various contexts, such as "to skip the loan" or "to skip meals".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

16%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to skip" is a common and grammatically sound infinitive verb phrase used to express the action of omitting or bypassing something. According to Ludwig, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts and maintains a mostly neutral register, but can vary depending on the source. When writing, ensure the context is clear and consider alternative verbs like "omit" or "bypass" for greater precision. While "to skip" is prevalent in various sources, overgeneralization should be avoided to enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to omit

This alternative focuses on the act of leaving something out, removing it entirely.

to bypass

This suggests going around something, avoiding it rather than removing it.

to leave out

Similar to "to omit", but often used in a more informal context.

to pass over

Emphasizes the act of moving beyond something without giving it attention.

to disregard

Implies a conscious decision to ignore or not consider something.

to avoid

Focuses on staying away from something, usually something undesirable.

to miss

Highlights failing to include something, often unintentionally.

to neglect

Suggests a failure to properly attend to something, leading to its omission.

to overlook

Indicates failing to notice something, resulting in it being skipped.

to jump over

Suggests quickly moving past something, often in a literal or figurative sense.

FAQs

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

You can use "to skip" to indicate omitting something, as in "I decided "to skip the meeting"" or bypassing a step, like "You can "to skip ahead to the next chapter" if you already know the basics".

What can I say instead of "to skip"?

Alternatives include "to omit", "to bypass", "to leave out", or "to pass over", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "to skip" or "to omit"?

"To skip" is often used in more informal contexts, while "to omit" is generally more formal. Choose the word that best fits the tone and audience of your writing.

What is the difference between "to skip" and "to avoid"?

"To skip" means to leave something out or pass over it, whereas "to avoid" means to actively stay away from something. For example, you might "skip" a chapter in a book, but you would "avoid" a dangerous situation.