Grammar fix
essential skill
necessary ability
An ability or talent that you must have to do something well or to succeed in a particular situation.
collocationB1common
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
Time management is an essential skill for university students.
In my opinion, being able to communicate clearly is an essential skill for success in any career.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: Cooking is an essential skill of life.
Say: Cooking is an essential life skill.
'Life skill' or 'essential skill for life' — not 'skill of life'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Indispensable competency' is corporate; 'essential skill' is the natural phrase.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
essential skill
- an
- a key
- for the job
- life