a brilliant individual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brilliant individual" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is exceptionally intelligent or talented in a particular area. Example: "She is not just a good leader; she is a brilliant individual who inspires everyone around her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Breyer, who sits on Facebook's board, added, "He is a brilliant individual who, like all of us, has made mistakes".

The New Yorker

The strategy paid off in the 12th minute, primarily through a brilliant individual effort by Kansas City midfielder Matt McKeon.

The New York Times - Sports

She was a brilliant individual, a natural leader and a constant source of amazement to her friends and family.

The New York Times

Rumsfeld may be a brilliant individual who understands how to organize the defense department and win a war.

The New York Times

"He was outstanding in the game, a brilliant individual performance from him and the real catalyst for us.

The Guardian - Sport

Manchester's Portuguese winger, Nani, struck with a brilliant individual goal in the first half, but Peter Crouch headed the equalizer from a corner in the second.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

The Frenchman, however, then settled any nerves with a quite brilliant individual goal after 64 minutes.

Independent

The clean-cut Firmage is an earnest, brilliant individual who has put the truth, as he sees it, before his career.

Forbes

The desire to remember his contributions as those of a unique and brilliant individual who single-handedly guided the nation to democracy and stability is understandable, but neither accurate nor helpful.

The Guardian - Opinion

Brown said today that she was a "very talented and brilliant individual" who was leaving government not for political reasons but because she wanted to spend more time with her four young children.

The Guardian

Ideally, some brilliant individual will discover a way around this hurdle.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a brilliant individual" when you want to highlight someone's exceptional intelligence or talent in a generally positive and appreciative way. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a brilliant individual" too frequently, especially in contexts where the person's actions or achievements don't clearly demonstrate exceptional intelligence or talent. Overuse can diminish the phrase's impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brilliant individual" functions as a noun phrase that describes a person, with "brilliant" serving as an adjective that modifies "individual". Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and the examples show it's used to express admiration or respect.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

30%

General

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brilliant individual" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe someone with exceptional intelligence or talent. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is used across various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and general discourse. While versatile, it's important to use it judiciously to maintain its impact. Alternatives such as "an exceptional person" or "a gifted individual" can offer nuanced variations depending on the intended meaning. This phrase serves to positively emphasize qualities of an individual in a variety of professional and casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an exceptional person

Emphasizes overall quality and character, not just intelligence.

a gifted individual

Highlights natural talent and innate abilities.

a remarkable person

Stresses the unusual and noteworthy nature of the person.

a highly intelligent person

Directly focuses on the person's intellectual capacity.

an ingenious mind

Emphasizes inventiveness and cleverness.

a talented individual

Focuses on skill and aptitude in a specific area.

a prodigious talent

Highlights exceptional talent at a young age or early stage.

a mastermind

Suggests exceptional planning and strategic abilities.

a genius

Implies an extremely high level of intellectual or creative ability.

a bright spark

Informal way of describing someone with quick intelligence and innovative ideas.

FAQs

How can I use "a brilliant individual" in a sentence?

You can use "a brilliant individual" to describe someone who possesses exceptional intelligence or talent. For example, "She is not just a good leader; she is a brilliant individual who inspires everyone around her."

What are some alternatives to "a brilliant individual"?

You can use alternatives like "an exceptional person", "a gifted individual", or "a remarkable person" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to call someone "a brilliant individual"?

While generally positive, using "a brilliant individual" is most appropriate when there is clear evidence of exceptional intelligence or talent. Using it without such evidence might sound insincere or exaggerated.

What's the difference between "a brilliant individual" and "a talented individual"?

"A brilliant individual" often suggests a broader intellectual capacity, while "a talented individual" focuses on skill and aptitude in a specific area. Someone can be talented without necessarily being considered broadly "brilliant".