Meaning & use
qualifications
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“qualifications” is a form of “qualification”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
Exams passed, degrees or training completed that show someone is able to do a particular job or task.
Grammar: Plural for several certificates: she has the right qualifications.
Patterns
- qualifications for something
- qualifications in something
- have the qualifications
You need a teaching degree and some classroom experience as minimum qualifications.
He left school without any formal qualifications.
Her qualifications in nursing helped her get a job overseas.
nounplural
The personal skills or qualities that make someone suitable for a role.
Grammar: Used about abilities, not just certificates: qualifications for leadership.
Patterns
- qualifications for something
- what qualifications do you have
Patience is one of the main qualifications for working with children.
What qualifications does he have to give this advice?
nounpluralformal
Conditions or limits added to a statement or agreement so that it is not absolute.
Grammar: Often follows with or without: she agreed with some qualifications.
Patterns
- with qualifications
- without qualifications
The committee approved the plan, but with several qualifications.
I can recommend the book without any qualifications.
Common combinations
- academic qualifications
- Her academic qualifications include two master's degrees.
- professional qualifications
- Accountants must hold recognized professional qualifications.
- formal qualifications
- The job requires no formal qualifications, only experience.
- minimum qualifications
- Check the minimum qualifications before you apply.
- obtain qualifications
- He obtained his qualifications by studying at night.
- with qualifications
- The ministers accepted the proposal with qualifications.
Synonyms and how they differ
- credentials
- Credentials includes qualifications but also past work and reputation that prove someone is trustworthy or competent.
- certificates
- Certificates names the actual documents, whereas qualifications refers to what they prove.
- requirements
- Requirements are what a job demands, while qualifications are what a candidate has.
- reservations
- Reservations fits the formal sense of limits on approval, and sounds more like doubt than a stated condition.
Word family
- qualification noun
- one qualification, or the act of qualifying
- qualify verb
- to become eligible, or to limit a statement
- qualified adjective
- having the right training, or limited
- unqualified adjective
- lacking training, or complete and absolute
- overqualified adjective
- having more training than a job needs
Commonly confused: qualifications or qualities?
qualifications vs qualities
Qualities are personal characteristics such as honesty. Qualifications are proofs of training or skills, such as certificates.
Practice
The advertisement asked for applicants with the right ___ in engineering.
Choose one answer.
Qualifications are degrees or training in a subject. Qualities are personal traits and do not take in engineering in this way.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “qualifications”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.