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Question skilled VS skilful/skillful

hirashin

Sempai
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8 Apr 2004
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Dear native English speakers,
would you tell me the difference between skilled and skilful/skillful?

Is "a skilful (or skillful) surgeon" the same as "a skilled surgeon"?

And do you also say "a practised/practiced surgeon"? Does it have the same meaning?
 
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Is "a skilful (or skillful) surgeon" the same as "a skilled surgeon"?
Yes I think so.

And do you also say "a practised/practiced surgeon"? Does it have the same meaning?
Yes it has the same meaning. Although the implication is that the surgeon has a lot of experience and is skilled because of it. Whereas if you say skilled/skillful the surgeon could be experienced or just naturally talented.
 
I think there can be a slightly different nuance between skilled and skil(l)ful. The former more often refers to a set of skills formally acquired for work. Britain used to class people into socio-economic groups such as skilled labourers, semi-skilled labourers, etc., and it would be more natural to say 'skilled workers' than 'skil(l)ful workers' in an economic or business context.
However, regarding the surgeon, both are correct English.
 
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