Cool MateSkilled vs You were good at something
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Skilled
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
You were good at something
Top 2,000 (common)
| Skilled | You were good at something | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/skɪld/"]/🇺🇸 /["/skɪld/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //juː wəː gʊd æt ˈsʌmθɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ju wɚ gʊd æt ˈsʌmθɪŋ// |
| Meaning | Good at doing something because of practice | You did well at something. |
| Example | a skilled engineer/negotiator/craftsman | You were good at mathematics in school. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, become, extremely, fairly, very, at, in, with, skilled in the art (of something), be, become, extremely, fairly, very, at, in, with, skilled in the art (of something) | good at math, good at sports, good at art, good at communicating, good at problem-solving |
| Antonyms | unskilled, inexperienced, inept | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'skilled' with 'to' instead of 'at' (e.g., 'skilled to play' instead of 'skilled at playing'), Confusing 'skilled' with 'skillful' — while similar, 'skillful' often refers to someone who is good at doing something in a practical context., Overusing 'skilled' when a more specific word (like 'talented' or 'expert') would be more fitting. | Incorrectly use 'good in' instead of 'good at'., Omitting 'at' from the phrase., Using 'good' with a noun instead of a gerund (verb+ing). |
| Usage notes | Use 'skilled' to describe someone's ability in a certain area, especially in a professional or artistic context. It's appropriate in both casual and formal settings. | Use 'good at' when discussing skills or abilities. It's neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Avoid using it in overly negative or critical comments. |
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Frequently asked questions: Skilled vs You were good at something
What's the difference between Skilled and You were good at something?
Skilled: Good at doing something because of practice You were good at something: You did well at something.
Can you show an example of each?
Skilled: a skilled engineer/negotiator/craftsman You were good at something: You were good at mathematics in school.
Can I use Skilled and You were good at something interchangeably?
Not always. Skilled and You were good at something are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.