a formidable head

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a formidable head" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is intellectually powerful or has strong leadership qualities. Example: "With her extensive knowledge and experience, she is truly a formidable head of the department."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Godley's is indeed a formidable head.

The New York Times - Books

Even if the first half of the evening sometimes owes more to Julian Clary than Attic tragedy, Tiffany's production builds up a formidable head of steam later on.

The Guardian

While more than 1,200 are needed to secure the Republican presidential nomination, Trump has built a formidable head start.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In her memoir Bakewell quotes one – a woman, oddly, the formidable head of talks and current affairs, Grace Wyndham Goldie – who said: "I don't want too many women on my staff.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Eventually Jackson and Holland's gate-crashing, corpse-dumping shenanigans will land them an audience with the formidable head of the Justice Department — who, as played by Kim Basinger, naturally triggers flashbacks to "L.A. Confidential".

Los Angeles Times

The fourth outing has Tom Hardy cast as Max, Charlize Theron as the formidable head of a group called the Five Wives and Hugh Keays Byrne, a bad guy in the first Mad Max, as Fury Road's main villain.

BBC

Meanwhile, Walter Teagle, the formidable head of Standard Oil of New Jersey, America's largest oil company (and the precursor of ExxonMobil), headed for London to stake his firm's claim.

The New Yorker

He may have been born in Milton Keynes, and gone to primary school in Warrington – when he even cheered on his Grand Final opponents with Joel and Logan, his younger brother who is also in Wigan's Old Trafford squad – but he has been very Wigan indeed since Shaun Wane, now the formidable head coach, took him under his wing in the club's junior teams.

The Guardian - Sport

For instance, when The Advocates put the Equal Rights Amendment on its docket, the lead counsel in favor of passage was Eleanor Smeal, then president of the National Organization of Women, while the opposition arguments were framed by Phyllis Schlafly, the formidable head of Stop ERA.

Huffington Post

The trade gives the Red Sox a formidable rotation headed by Sale, David Price and AL Cy Young winner Rick Porcello.

Los Angeles Times

This is not particularly surprising - both Meek and Rubio have been fighting for their partisan supporters - but if Crist continues to sustain a majority of the independent vote, he will be incredibly formidable heading into November.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a formidable head" when you want to convey that someone possesses both intelligence and strong leadership qualities. It suggests a person capable of making impactful decisions and commanding respect.

Common error

Avoid using "a formidable head" in casual conversations or informal writing. Its formality may sound out of place; opt for simpler terms like "strong leader" or "smart person" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a formidable head" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It typically serves to characterize an individual who possesses intelligence, leadership skills, and an imposing presence. Ludwig's examples show it being used to describe leaders in various domains, from politics to academia.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a formidable head" is used to describe someone with both intelligence and strong leadership qualities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, though its usage is relatively rare, primarily appearing in News & Media contexts. While you can use alternatives like "powerful leader" or "brilliant mind" depending on the specific context, remember that "a formidable head" has a neutral to formal register and should be used accordingly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a powerful leader

Directly replaces "formidable head" with a more common synonym focusing on leadership.

a brilliant mind

Highlights exceptional intelligence and cognitive ability.

an imposing intellect

Replaces "head" with "intellect", emphasizing mental power rather than leadership.

an impressive intellect

Similar to "imposing intellect" but uses a slightly different adjective.

a commanding presence

Shifts focus from intellect or leadership to overall impactful demeanor.

a dominant force

Emphasizes overwhelming power and influence, broader than just intellectual or leadership.

an influential figure

Highlights the impact and sway the person has, diverging from just strength.

a strong strategist

Specifies the strength lies in strategic thinking and planning.

a respected authority

Indicates a high level of expertise and recognition.

a capable director

Focuses on competence and skill in a directing role.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a formidable head" in a sentence?

Use "a formidable head" to describe someone who is an intelligent and strong leader. For instance, "With her sharp intellect and decisive leadership, she proved to be "a formidable head" of the department."

What are some alternatives to "a formidable head" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "powerful leader", "commanding presence", or "brilliant mind". Each emphasizes a slightly different aspect of the person's qualities.

Is "formidable head" always used in a positive sense?

While "formidable" generally implies respect or admiration, it can also suggest someone who is intimidating or challenging to deal with. The overall tone depends on the context in which ""a formidable head"" is used.

How does "a formidable head" differ from "a strong leader"?

"A formidable head" implies a combination of intelligence, strength, and leadership, whereas "a strong leader" primarily focuses on leadership qualities. The former suggests a more comprehensive set of impressive traits.