underlying skills

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "underlying skills" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to fundamental abilities or competencies that support or contribute to a particular task or area of expertise. Example: "To excel in this field, one must develop a strong foundation of underlying skills, such as critical thinking and problem-solving."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Gaining underlying skills and knowledge is often an afterthought and it shouldn't be.

The New York Times

"The students in them are often lacking basic, underlying skills, so they don't have the means to express themselves".

The New York Times

We are learning about neural networks' underlying skills and how they are shaped by genetic variation and early experience.

Independent

They can't be taught to read before they have the basic underlying skills and concepts that children are ready to absorb in the preschool years.

The New York Times

While we are just now reaching the quarter mark of the season, resulting in a sample that should still mostly be considered small, the following players have displayed a striking enough change in underlying skills that has increased or decreased their value significantly since the March drafts.

The New York Times

However, she noted that while the Bureau of Labor Statistics could identify what industries these vacancies are in, it couldn't explain where the vacancies are geographically, nor could it explain the underlying skills needed, or the training programs required to acquire them.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

It's the underlying skill needed in order to successfully market yourself and soar to new heights.

Forbes

PIAAC adopts a logistic model with two parameters, one reflecting the difficulty of the task and one measuring how well the task discriminates among respondents along the underlying skill.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

This level of decomposition is critical from the perspective of ITS design as the ITS must have the ability to determine which underlying skill components are contributing to overall performance in order to provide appropriate tailored training content and support to the trainee.

International Journal of STEM Education

This type of compensation implies that there may be alternative ways to cope with problems that are involved in literacy performance, resulting in better performance at the outcome level than would be predicted based on the deficient underlying skill.

Annals of Dyslexia

Based on the theories underlying social skills training, it has been assumed that learning individual social skills should result in a reduction of externalizing problem behavior.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "underlying skills" when describing the fundamental competencies that enable more complex abilities. This emphasizes the foundational aspect of these skills.

Common error

Avoid vaguely referring to "underlying skills" without identifying them. Always specify which abilities are fundamental to the topic at hand to give your writing precision and practical value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "underlying skills" functions as a noun phrase, where "underlying" modifies "skills", indicating that these are foundational or fundamental abilities. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

40%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "underlying skills" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that refers to foundational abilities or competencies. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and versatile, appearing across a spectrum of contexts from news and media to academic and scientific publications. To use the phrase effectively, specify which skills are fundamental to the subject, avoiding vagueness. Alternatives like ""foundational skills"" or ""core competencies"" can provide variety, but precision is key. By understanding its nuances and usage patterns, you can confidently incorporate "underlying skills" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foundational skills

This alternative emphasizes the base or foundation upon which other skills are built.

core competencies

This term is often used in business and education to describe essential abilities.

fundamental abilities

This option highlights the basic and essential nature of the skills.

basic skill set

This phrase refers to a collection of fundamental skills necessary for a particular task or field.

essential capabilities

This alternative focuses on the crucial capabilities that are necessary.

requisite skills

This term highlights skills that are required or necessary for something.

primary proficiencies

This phrase emphasizes the initial and most important areas of expertise.

innate talents

This suggests skills that are natural or inherent.

inherent abilities

This alternative focuses on capabilities that are naturally part of someone or something.

intrinsic capabilities

This emphasizes capabilities that are essential and belong naturally.

FAQs

How can I improve my "underlying skills"?

Identify the specific "foundational skills" relevant to your goal, then focus on targeted practice and learning in those areas.

What are some examples of "underlying skills" in project management?

Examples include communication, organization, problem-solving, and leadership. These "core competencies" are crucial for successful project execution.

Which is more important, "underlying skills" or advanced knowledge?

"Underlying skills" provide the foundation for acquiring and applying advanced knowledge. Both are important, but a solid base of "fundamental abilities" is essential for long-term success.

What's the difference between "underlying skills" and "technical skills"?

"Underlying skills" are general abilities like critical thinking and communication, while technical skills are specific to a particular field. You need "basic skill set", but also technical know-how to succeed in specific professional paths.