Confusing Words: Skillset and Skill Set (Noun)
Meaning:
Clarification:
It is easy to see that skillset or skill set are variant for each other. They may carry the same meaning and therefore, many don’t bother which one is correct. But, what if you are dealing with an official document where there is no room for mistake?
Skillset or Skill Set – What Is the Difference, Definition and Meaning?
Skill Set
Described as a noun.
Skill set refers to a collection of skills/abilities of a person that are useful for a particular profession of a task. Skill set is considered a noun phrase i.e. group of words that collectively perform function of a noun.
However, it is worth noting here that not both words in “skill set” are a noun when considered separately. “Skill” is an adjective which describe a noun “set”. Together, they are a type of compound noun.
Example 1: Tell us about the skill set/skill sets that you have which make you suitable for the job as graphic designer.
Example 2: How to develop a skill set that can help you achieve success in your athletic career?
Skillset
Also described as a noun.
The meaning of skillset is no different that what skill set is. In fact, many take it as the correct way to write the spellings. It also refers to a collection of skills/abilities of a person that are useful for a particular profession of a task
There is an exception! A company in the New South Wales goes by the name “Skillset”. If that is what you are referring to in your content, then the correct spelling are Skillset with a capital “S” and no space in between.
Is Skill Set or Skillset Grammatically Wrong?
Although both have been adopted into English writing, major dictionaries agree that skillset is not acceptable as grammatically correct alternative to skill set. You can check Dictionary.com or Cambridge Dictionary for reference.
If you search for skillset in an online dictionary, you may be routed to alternative entries of skill set or simply see a message that states “no match for skillset. Did you mean..”
Things are a bit more lenient when you look into Google dictionary. Here, both the words are regarded as correct entries but it is recommended that you go with the majority and only utilize “skill set” in your official and non-official writing.
What Did You Learn?
There is some confusion since many people rely on Google dictionary as the first source of spell check. Therefore, as long as you are writing something informal, you might not be penalized for using skillset in place of skill set although the former is not grammatically correct. Nonetheless, it is better to go with “skill set” for more important documents such as a cover letter or resume for job application.
Skill set: noun, collection of skills/abilities of a person that are useful for a particular profession of a task
Skillset: noun, the meaning same as “skill set” but only supported as correct alternative by Google dictionary.
Also See:
Difference Between Disinterested and Uninterested.
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