noun phrase

good communication skills

good kuh-MYOO-nih-kay-shuhn skilz

Good communication skills (noun phrase) means the ability to express ideas clearly and appropriately, and to listen and read others well enough that information is genuinely exchanged rather than merely sent. Example: “The role needs good communication skills because you'll be the only contact the client has.”

noun phrase

The ability to express ideas clearly and appropriately, and to listen and read others well enough that information is genuinely exchanged rather than merely sent.

"The role needs good communication skills because you'll be the only contact the client has."

"She has good communication skills, but her written reports are far stronger than her presentations."

How to Use Good communication skills

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBeing good at explaining things and at listening to people.

When to use it

A staple of job adverts, CVs and appraisals. Because it appears on almost every CV it carries little weight unless backed by a concrete example.

Memory tip

On a CV, replace the phrase with evidence: 'presented monthly figures to the board' says more than 'good communication skills'.

Easily confused with

communication skills vs. public speaking communication skills vs. social skills

Common pairings

excellent communication skills strong communication skills verbal and written communication skills demonstrate good communication skills

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The role needs _____ because you'll be the only contact the client has.

Synonyms

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interpersonal skills people skills articulacy soft skills

Antonyms

poor communication skills

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as good communication skills?

Broadly four things: speaking clearly and to the point, writing so the reader understands first time, listening actively enough to check you have understood, and adjusting tone and detail to the audience. Non-verbal signals such as eye contact and body language are usually included too.

What is the difference between communication skills and social skills?

Communication skills are about transmitting and receiving information accurately, including in writing. Social skills are broader and cover navigating relationships — reading a room, building rapport, handling conflict. Someone can write superbly and still lack social skills.