unskilled

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'unskilled' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone who lacks the ability or knowledge to complete a task or pursue a certain occupation. For example, "She applied for the job, but she was deemed unskilled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As a recent University College London study showed, the average profile of a recent migrant is more likely to be a young graduate from western or eastern Europe working in the financial, tech or creative services than our more traditional image of an unskilled migrant labourer.

The Guardian

Labour only had a clear lead over the Conservatives among 18- to 34-year-olds, voters in social class DE (the "semi-skilled and unskilled manual occupations, unemployed and lowest grade occupations"), among private and social renters, and black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) voters.

The Guardian

They had to recruit and train many unskilled Sierra Leonean staff to work as hygienists and in other support roles.

The Guardian

Children in their early teens are often unskilled and don't know how to avoid injury, and between the ages of 13 and 18 their weight and height may differ dramatically within a squad.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Some senior party figures had wanted these messages highlighted alongside the NHS in the Heywood campaign, and would also now like Labour to raise openly in Europe questions about the long-term challenge posed by the free movement of unskilled labour across the EU.

The Guardian

Migrants did not increase unemployment, even among unskilled workers, nor make an impact significantly on wages.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, in unskilled British hands, the results are often, even if just millimetres thick, doughy, dense and bloating.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The idea popularised by the Tory tabloids, that average public sector wages (not the plump cats whose pay Brown froze today) now run ahead of the private sector, fails to explain that its pool of unskilled workers pulls private sector averages down.

The Guardian - Opinion

Neither can a story about his Tory opponent Craig Mackinlay owning a website that encourages Hungarians to come and work in Britain,; Ukip has made curtailing unskilled immigration from eastern Europe the key plank of its campaign.

The Guardian

More people in this study reported difficulty in having an orgasm because their partner was unskilled (25% of women and 7% of men).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Never mind the fact that social mobility is as much about making sure young people don't slip into unskilled jobs as it is about making high court judges.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing workforce dynamics, differentiate between "unskilled" and "low-skilled", as "low-skilled" often implies some level of basic competency.

Common error

Avoid using "unskilled" to describe entire groups of people. Instead, specify the particular skills or knowledge that are lacking.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "unskilled" functions primarily to describe a person, a job, or an object lacking in skill or technical training. Ludwig AI confirms this through its examples, showcasing its descriptive capability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "unskilled" effectively describes a lack of skill or training, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is commonly used in news, business, and scientific contexts. While grammatically correct, care should be taken to avoid overgeneralization and potential negative connotations. Alternatives like "untrained" or "inexperienced" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context. The prevalence of "unskilled" in authoritative sources indicates its wide acceptance and utility in various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

untrained

Focuses on the lack of formal training or instruction.

inexperienced

Highlights the lack of practical experience in a particular area.

incompetent

Emphasizes a general lack of ability to perform tasks effectively.

amateurish

Suggests a lack of professional quality or skill.

deficient in skill

A more formal way of expressing a lack of skill.

lacking expertise

Similar to "unskilled" but emphasizes the absence of specialized knowledge.

without training

Similar to "untrained", focusing on the absence of formal instruction.

green

An informal term indicating a lack of experience or skill.

untalented

Indicates a lack of natural aptitude or ability.

poorly trained

Emphasizes inadequate or ineffective training.

FAQs

How can I use "unskilled" in a sentence?

You can use "unskilled" to describe someone who lacks specific training or expertise, as in, "The job required skilled labor, and he was deemed "unskilled"".

What are some alternatives to "unskilled"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "untrained", "inexperienced", or "incompetent".

Is it appropriate to use "unskilled" when describing a worker?

Yes, it is appropriate if you are accurately describing a lack of specific skills required for a job. However, be mindful of potential negative connotations and consider using more neutral terms like "entry-level" or "lacking experience".

What is the difference between "unskilled" and "unqualified"?

"Unskilled" refers to a lack of specific training or expertise, while "unqualified" means lacking the necessary credentials or requirements for a particular position. Someone can be "unskilled" in a particular area but still be generally qualified for certain types of work.