Skilled In: Standard Pattern
Skilled In: Standard Pattern records a directly documented English construction and keeps guidance bounded to the evidenced pattern rather than turning one attested complement into a universal prohibition.
Use “skilled in” to describe having developed ability in an activity, field, or type of work.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| developed ability in a field, activity, or type of work | skilled in + noun/-ing | Use the documented pattern. |
| describing a person with developed ability | be skilled in ... | Use the adjective with “in” for the documented area/activity complement. |
| a different construction where another preposition is idiomatic | follow the directly documented pattern for that meaning | Do not claim “in” is the only preposition possible in all senses. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Does the complement name the field, activity, or type of work in which the person has developed ability?
If yes: Use “skilled in.”
If no: Choose wording that matches the different relation or construction.
Caveat: The guide is scoped to the documented ability-in-a-field/activity pattern.
Examples
She is skilled in data analysis.
The complement names the field of ability.
He is skilled in repairing old instruments.
The gerund phrase names the activity.
The team is skilled in negotiation.
The noun names the area of developed ability.
Further guidance
Construction
Use “skilled in” to describe having developed ability in an activity, field, or type of work.
Style Boundary
Cambridge also records “skilled at”; this guide documents “in” as a standard option rather than presenting it as exclusive.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- skilled (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press & Assessment · Preferred lexical authority directly documenting skilled at/in doing something.