top-tier skill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "top-tier skill" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a high level of expertise or proficiency in a particular area or field. Example: "Her top-tier skill in graphic design has earned her numerous awards and recognition in the industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Virginia Coach Dom Starsia, whose Cavaliers are the top-seeded favorites, says the dominance comes down to teams stockpiling top-tier skill players.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Whether you learned web design by maintaining your church's website, or you learned to code in the army reserve, or you graduated with a degree in computer science from a top-tier four-year college, equal skills should mean equal opportunity.

Huffington Post

Tech recruiters can use this "Gild score" to see through the top-tier degrees, vague descriptions of skill sets, or polished testimonials of well-connected programmers whose coding skills may be below par.

MIT Technology Review

Not only in basketball and football but also across the spectrum of intercollegiate sports, top-tier athletes are honing their skills for the pros.

The New York Times - Sports

We help top-tier leaders fine-tune their skills to achieve peak performance.

HuffPost

Plaza employees remember her as a firebrand, a scourge who exploited every wrinkle in rent-control law with the subtlety and skill of a top-tier real estate attorney.

Vice

It also hires "innovators"—top-tier MBA graduates who apply their analytic and creative skills to unique business problems.

Harvard Business Review

Top-tier strategy consulting firms have cultivated a unique set of skills that consistently help them deliver high-impact solutions to complex strategic issues.

Columbia University

But the ability to conceive of and implement beautiful design with scarce resources is a great test of skill and talent, and it's worth wondering whether top-tier designers would even be interested in these tight-budget contracts.

The New Yorker

For decades, MBA graduates from top-tier schools set the standard for cutting-edge business knowledge and skills.

Harvard Business Review

Would-be Woodwards and Bernsteins hiding out from the bad economy or learning new skills to compete stormed the admissions offices of top-tier programs last fall.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "top-tier skill" when you want to emphasize that someone possesses a level of expertise significantly above average. It's particularly effective in contexts where excellence is expected or highly valued.

Common error

Avoid using "top-tier skill" in casual conversation or informal writing. The phrase carries a formal tone and may sound pretentious or out of place in relaxed settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "top-tier skill" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "top-tier" modifies the noun "skill", indicating a high level of expertise. Ludwig confirms its usability, suggesting it describes a high level of proficiency.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "top-tier skill" is a phrase used to describe an exceptional level of expertise or proficiency. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, but notes its relative infrequency. While versatile, its formal tone makes it more suitable for professional or academic contexts, rather than casual settings. Alternatives like "elite ability" or "high-level proficiency" can offer similar meanings. The phrase is most often encountered in news, academic, and formal business settings, emphasizing its use in contexts where expertise is highly valued.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elite ability

Focuses on the superior quality of the ability.

high-level proficiency

Emphasizes the advanced level of competence.

expert competence

Highlights the expertise and capability.

superior talent

Stresses the natural aptitude and excellence.

advanced expertise

Highlights the advanced and specialized knowledge.

exceptional skill

Emphasizes the unusual and outstanding nature of the skill.

masterful technique

Focuses on refined and skillful execution.

premier capability

Highlights the leading and prominent nature of the capability.

first-rate skill

Stresses the excellent quality and grade of skill.

world-class ability

Highlights the globally recognized and exceptional nature of the ability.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "top-tier skill" in a sentence?

Use "top-tier skill" to describe someone's exceptional ability in a specific area. For example, "Her "top-tier skill" in negotiation makes her an invaluable asset to the team".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "top-tier skill"?

You can use alternatives such as "elite ability", "high-level proficiency", or "expert competence" depending on the context.

Is "top-tier skill" formal or informal?

"Top-tier skill" is generally considered a formal phrase, best suited for professional or academic contexts. Using it in casual settings may sound unnatural.

What distinguishes a "top-tier skill" from a regular skill?

A "top-tier skill" implies a level of mastery and expertise that is significantly above average. It suggests that the individual possesses an exceptional ability compared to others in their field.