a sense of intelligence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sense of intelligence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone's perception or awareness of intelligence, either in themselves or in others. Example: "She has a sense of intelligence that allows her to navigate complex problems with ease."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

And yet somehow a sense of intelligence pierced through.

The New York Times

Partly, it's Barack Obama's affect: the calm, professorial demeanor through which he has telegraphed a sense of intelligence and poise the last eight years now feels totally out of step with the current moment's vicious partisan turmoil.

The Guardian - Opinion

So yes, it's the earrings, the multicultural restaurants, the natural rebelliousness in Australia that grabs one first, a sense of intelligence and exploration the more impressive for not taking itself too seriously; but beneath all that is something even older that somehow seems to me even more mysterious, too.

The Guardian - Travel

Meyer was looking for an actress who looked beautiful enough that it was plausible a womanizer such as Kirk would fall for her, yet who could also project a sense of intelligence.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

One of the company's key differentiators was its knowledge graph — its database of facts about the world necessary for demonstrating any sense of intelligence.

TechCrunch

I thought Horn's stunt showed imagination, a sense of humor, intelligence and long-range planning.

The New York Times - Sports

You get this feeling a lot in Vietnam, a sense of edgy intelligence.

Forbes

His numerous performances ranged from contemporary dramas to classical roles, to which he brought a sense of cutting intelligence and understated humor.

Los Angeles Times

Tim had this wit that left his friends on their knees cracking up with laughter and a keen sense of intelligence; he wanted to go into marketing and enjoyed the humanities.

Huffington Post

On the other side of the ball, though, will be another aging all-time great with an uncanny sense of intelligence ready to match wits against Manning.

Huffington Post

As someone who received intelligence briefings over the past four years, Mr Lake might have had a sense of which kinds of intelligence were useful and which not; he might have used this to shake up the machinery of espionage.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sense of intelligence" to describe someone who not only possesses intelligence but also demonstrates awareness and understanding beyond mere knowledge.

Common error

Avoid using "a sense of intelligence" when you simply mean "intelligence". The phrase implies an awareness or perception, not just the attribute itself. For example, instead of saying "She displayed a sense of intelligence in her analysis", consider "She displayed intelligence in her analysis" if you want to focus on her capability, or "She had a keen sense of intelligence in approaching the task" if you want to highlight her awareness and perceptiveness in how she approached the task.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sense of intelligence" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is correct and usable in written English, indicating a perception or awareness of intellectual capacity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sense of intelligence" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe someone's perception, awareness, or understanding of intelligence. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While often found in news and media contexts, its register remains neutral, making it versatile. Related phrases like "intellectual awareness" or "perception of intellect" can offer alternative ways to express similar ideas. Remember to use it when highlighting the awareness and understanding of intelligence, rather than simply indicating its presence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an intellectual awareness

Focuses on conscious understanding rather than a general feeling.

a perception of intellect

Highlights the act of perceiving someone's intellectual capabilities.

a grasp of intelligence

Suggests an understanding or command of intellectual concepts.

an appreciation for intelligence

Emphasizes valuing and recognizing intelligence.

a recognition of intellect

Stresses the acknowledgement of intellectual prowess.

an understanding of cleverness

Replaces "intelligence" with "cleverness", focusing on ingenuity.

a sensitivity to intelligence

Suggests a refined ability to detect intelligence.

a feeling of sharp-mindedness

Emphasizes the feeling associated with intellectual sharpness.

an inkling of intelligence

Indicates a vague or subtle perception of intelligence.

a hint of intellectual capacity

Suggests a subtle or understated display of intellectual potential.

FAQs

How can I use "a sense of intelligence" in a sentence?

Use "a sense of intelligence" to describe someone's perception, awareness, or understanding of intellectual matters, such as, "The character exuded "a sense of intelligence" that made others trust her judgment."

What can I say instead of "a sense of intelligence"?

You can use alternatives like "intellectual awareness", "perception of intellect", or "grasp of intelligence", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "a sense of intelligence" or "an intelligent sense"?

"A sense of intelligence" is generally preferred. "An intelligent sense" is less common and may sound awkward, as it implies that the 'sense' itself is intelligent, rather than referring to the awareness of intelligence.

What's the difference between "a sense of intelligence" and "intelligence"?

"Intelligence" refers to the inherent capability, while ""a sense of intelligence"" indicates an awareness, understanding, or appreciation of intelligence, either in oneself or others. It's about recognizing and valuing intellectual qualities.