Passably intelligent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Passably intelligent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has a moderate level of intelligence, suggesting they are not exceptionally bright but are capable of understanding and reasoning to some extent. Example: "While he may not be a genius, he is passably intelligent and can hold a decent conversation on various topics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Get intelligent intelligence.

Forbes

Anything passably earthy goes.

The New Yorker

She was an intelligent girl, of an old theatrical family; reports speak of her as having "a pretty face and well-developed figure"—or "passably pretty and not much of an actress".

Encyclopedia Britannica

He plays piano well, and guitar passably.

The New Yorker

She gets through the first passably.

The New York Times

Lee, passably assured, scribbled his phone number for Subban.

The New Yorker

Only JPMorgan Chase did passably well (see chart).

The Economist

The exercise is passably droll but awfully strenuous.

The New Yorker

Intelligent earbuds?

The New York Times

Still, the system worked passably well for years.

The New York Times

He pitched passably in his first four starts.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "passably intelligent" when you want to convey that someone meets a basic standard of intelligence without being exceptional. It's useful when describing characters in fiction or evaluating skills in a professional context.

Common error

Avoid using "passably intelligent" when you intend to express high intelligence. This phrase suggests a minimal acceptable level, not exceptional intellect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passably intelligent" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe someone's level of intelligence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it suggests a level of intelligence that is acceptable or adequate, but not outstanding. This implies a moderate degree of cognitive ability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "passably intelligent" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe someone who possesses an acceptable level of intelligence, though not necessarily exceptional. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for use in written English. While its frequency is rare, it appears mainly in news and media sources. Alternatives include "adequately intelligent" and "sufficiently intelligent". When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended meaning of conveying a moderate, acceptable level of intellect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Adequately intelligent

Replaces "passably" with a more direct synonym, maintaining the sense of just meeting the minimum requirement for intelligence.

Sufficiently intelligent

Similar to "adequately intelligent", but might imply a slightly higher standard of intelligence than "passably".

Reasonably intelligent

Suggests a moderate level of intelligence, focusing on the ability to reason effectively.

Moderately intelligent

Directly indicates a level of intelligence that is neither high nor low, but somewhere in the middle.

Somewhat intelligent

Emphasizes a degree of intelligence, but with a slightly weaker connotation than "passably".

Fairly intelligent

Similar to "somewhat intelligent", but with a slightly more positive connotation.

Competently intelligent

Highlights the ability to apply intelligence effectively in various tasks.

Acceptably intelligent

Indicates that the level of intelligence is satisfactory, though perhaps not exceptional.

Serviceably intelligent

Suggests an intelligence level that is useful and functional, adequate for most purposes.

Tolerably intelligent

Implies that the intelligence level is just sufficient to avoid causing problems or difficulties.

FAQs

How can I use "Passably intelligent" in a sentence?

"Passably intelligent" is used to describe someone who is moderately intelligent or has an acceptable level of intelligence. Example: "While not a genius, he was "passably intelligent" and capable of understanding complex concepts."

What are some alternatives to "Passably intelligent"?

Alternatives include "adequately intelligent", "sufficiently intelligent", or "reasonably intelligent". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "Passably intelligent" or "Slightly intelligent"?

"Passably intelligent" and "Slightly intelligent" both suggest a moderate level of intelligence, but "Passably intelligent" implies meeting a minimum standard, while "Slightly intelligent" simply indicates a small degree of intelligence. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize meeting a requirement or merely having some intelligence.

What's the difference between "Passably intelligent" and "Highly intelligent"?

"Passably intelligent" suggests an acceptable, but not exceptional, level of intelligence. "Highly intelligent", on the other hand, indicates a very high level of cognitive ability. They are antonyms. If someone is "highly intelligent", they are more than "passably intelligent".