vital skill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vital skill" is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it when referring to a skill that is necessary or essential in order to complete a task, process, or activity. For example, "Having good communication skills is a vital skill for a successful career.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet it is such a vital skill.

The Guardian - Sport

It is a vital skill, as is using indirect quotation.

The Guardian - Books

Spatial perception is a vital skill for architects.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

This is a vital skill for animators who have to understand anatomy.

The Guardian - Tech

And now I wonder how good a friend I was, without that very vital skill.

The Guardian

Stronger financial management is seen as a vital skill that needs strengthening across Whitehall.

The Guardian

So how can you help your classes to master this vital skill?

The Guardian

Integrative thinking can be learned, and The Opposable Mind helps you master this vital skill.

Harvard Business Review

It's a vital skill for the unavoidable reality of raising money.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Less than 10% of students thought it was a vital skill, compared to nearly 50% of employers.

The Guardian

Linear algebra is a method for solving a set of equations — a vital skill for scientists and engineers in training.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the importance of a skill, use "vital skill" to convey that the skill is essential for success or effective performance in a particular context.

Common error

Avoid using "vital skill" in contexts where the importance of the skill is already obvious. For example, instead of saying "Communication is a vital skill for customer service representatives," consider focusing on how communication skills contribute to effective customer service.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vital skill" functions as a noun phrase, where "vital" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "skill". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples show it describing essential abilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

24%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vital skill" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that highlights the necessity of a particular ability. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various domains. Predominantly found in News & Media, Academia and Science contexts, the phrase serves to emphasize the importance of specific skills for success and effective performance. Alternative phrases such as "essential ability" and "critical competence" offer similar meanings. While "vital skill" is broadly applicable, it's best to avoid redundancy by ensuring the context doesn't already imply the skill's importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essential ability

Replaces "skill" with "ability" and "vital" with "essential", emphasizing necessity.

critical competence

Substitutes "skill" with "competence" and "vital" with "critical", highlighting a crucial capability.

indispensable asset

Changes the structure to emphasize the skill as a valuable attribute.

necessary expertise

Replaces "skill" with "expertise", suggesting a higher level of proficiency, and "vital" with "necessary".

crucial proficiency

Uses "proficiency" instead of "skill" and "crucial" instead of "vital", stressing a high level of competence.

fundamental requirement

Shifts the focus to the skill being a basic need or condition.

key qualification

Positions the skill as an important credential or criterion.

paramount attribute

Emphasizes the skill as a top-tier quality or characteristic.

core capability

Highlights the skill as a central and foundational capacity.

significant talent

Uses "talent" in place of skill, focusing on a natural aptitude that is highly important.

FAQs

How can I use "vital skill" in a sentence?

"Vital skill" is used to describe an ability that is necessary or essential. For example, "Adaptability is a "vital skill" in today's rapidly changing job market."

What can I say instead of "vital skill"?

You can use alternatives like "essential ability", "critical competence", or "indispensable asset" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "vital skill" in formal writing?

Yes, "vital skill" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a clear and direct way to emphasize the importance of a particular ability.

What makes a skill "vital"?

A skill is considered "vital" when it is absolutely necessary or crucial for achieving a desired outcome or performing a specific task effectively.