Imaginative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Imaginative" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is creative or able to think of new ideas. Example: "The artist's imaginative approach to painting has garnered much praise from critics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Turning to Paul Le Guen was bold, imaginative and seemingly unrealistic but demonstrative of a degree of audacity that Murray has often matched with persuasiveness to great effect.

The Guardian - Sport

And the festival keeps evolving in most imaginative ways.

The Guardian - Books

I used to think that imaginative failure explained the relative lack of public concern about state and corporate surveillance: people simply cannot conceive where this stuff might be taking us, which is why we needed novelists such as Orwell and Aldous Huxley – and now Dave Eggers – to help us visualise potential dystopias.

The Guardian - Tech

He made few egregious errors and introduced one or two imaginative initiatives.

The Guardian - Opinion

Instead of the imaginative, integrated development plan drawn up by Charles Correa, the renowned Mumbai-based architect, the former mill-hub of Lalbaug-Parel is a soulless cram of skyscrapers, mall-to-mall carpeting and snarled traffic clashing with the tenements housing the dispossessed worker families.

The Guardian

On Water Jump or These Nights Never End it perfectly evokes how it feels to be lost on the dancefloor at 3am, but it's creative and imaginative enough to sound perfect on headphones long after that small-hours moment's passed.

The Guardian - Music

The Independent have called him a "versatile, imaginative, committed long-form journalist with a populist touch".

The Guardian

You need to be imaginative and be able to persuade people to come with you on your journey," he explains.

The Guardian

"My attitude to money has always been that it is not a literal thing - it is an imaginative idea.

The Guardian - Film

The pieces will be more imaginative – I'm expecting thrones and direwolves and all sorts of gratuitous nipples – plus the stakes will be higher and, unlike the London edition, it might actually acknowledge the existence of the north for once.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Come up with imaginative proposals for suitable uses for the "Pacer" fleet and build new trains here in the North.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "imaginative" to describe plans, solutions, or approaches that involve creativity and new ideas. It's effective in contexts where resourcefulness and thinking outside the box are valued.

Common error

Avoid using "imaginative" when "creative" or "innovative" would be more direct and clear. Overusing sophisticated vocabulary can sometimes make your writing sound pretentious. Choose the simplest effective word for the context.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "imaginative" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something or someone possessing creativity or originality. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where "imaginative" qualifies various nouns.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "imaginative" functions as an adjective used to describe something or someone possessing creativity and originality. Ludwig AI analysis validates that the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently appears in News & Media sources. It's crucial to use "imaginative" when conveying the essence of creative thinking, but be mindful of overusing it where simpler terms like "creative" or "innovative" would suffice. Consider exploring alternatives such as "creative", "inventive", and "visionary" to enrich your writing. The phrase demonstrates broad acceptance across different registers, fitting well in various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Creative

Emphasizes the ability to produce novel and valuable ideas.

Inventive

Highlights the skill in designing or creating new things.

Visionary

Suggests having original and far-reaching ideas.

Resourceful

Indicates the ability to find clever ways to overcome difficulties.

Ingenious

Focuses on cleverness and originality in design or invention.

Original

Stresses the novelty and uniqueness of an idea or creation.

Inspired

Suggests being influenced by a creative impulse or enthusiasm.

Innovative

Emphasizes the introduction of new methods or ideas.

Fanciful

Implies a whimsical or inventive quality, often detached from reality.

Artistic

Relates to the skill of creating aesthetically pleasing works.

FAQs

How can I use "Imaginative" in a sentence?

You can use "imaginative" to describe someone or something displaying creativity and originality. For example: "The designer presented an imaginative solution to the problem." or "She is known for her imaginative approach to problem-solving."

What are some alternatives to "Imaginative"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "creative", "inventive", or "visionary" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "Imaginative" rather than "Imaginary"?

"Imaginative" describes someone or something that possesses creativity, while "imaginary" refers to something that exists only in the imagination. Use "imaginative" when referring to creative thinking and "imaginary" when referring to something unreal or fictional.

How does "Imaginative" differ from "Innovative"?

"Imaginative" emphasizes the ability to form new and original ideas, while "innovative" highlights the introduction of new methods or products. Something can be imaginative without being put into practice, but innovation typically involves implementing new ideas.