a serious intelligence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a serious intelligence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a type of intelligence that is profound, significant, or important, often in contexts related to emotional or cognitive depth. Example: "Her ability to empathize with others demonstrates a serious intelligence that is rare in today's world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

With America, it remains a serious intelligence and useful military power.

The Economist

But the Profumo scandal had a farcical element, and never involved a serious intelligence danger.

The Guardian

He told me, "These documents are so bad that I cannot imagine that they came from a serious intelligence agency.

The New Yorker

There's a serious intelligence at work in all these symphonies, and it emerges with forcefulness in Metzmacher's committed performances.

The Guardian

According to the presentation, it became a "serious intelligence priority" for the British secret intelligence services (SIS) to spy on UN international climate negotiations in 2007.

The Guardian

Akif Ekici, an MP for the main opposition Republican People's party (CHP), told Turkish media there was a "serious intelligence deficiency" and the government should work together with the opposition to prevent further attacks.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Eliot could write bad books (Romola) and half-brilliant books (Daniel Deronda - the first half) but in Middlemarch her serious intelligence produced a novel that no one else could have been capable of - a picture of society as an organic, living, breathing synthesis - order and disorder, hope and hopelessness, pride and humility, charity and greed.

The Guardian - Books

This was a common practice among some American businessmen and lawyers before the Second World War, and their reports were gratefully received in Washington, because the government did not have a serious nonmilitary intelligence operation.

The New Yorker

Iraq continues to deny it has any WMD, though no serious intelligence service anywhere in the world believes them.

The Guardian

A brief statement from the Istanbul governor's office said the match was cancelled following "the assessment of serious intelligence", but didn't provide details.

The Guardian

No, oh good, then I can get on with being a terrorist.' I ask you, this is the world of Inspector Clouseau, not of serious intelligence or counter-intelligence".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person's character or capabilities, use "a serious intelligence" to denote a high level of thoughtful consideration and understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "a serious intelligence" when simply referring to quick wit or superficial knowledge; reserve it for describing profound, insightful, and deeply considered understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a serious intelligence" functions primarily as a noun phrase that describes a particular quality or attribute. It suggests a level of intellectual depth and thoughtfulness. Ludwig AI supports this assessment, indicating that the phrase is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a serious intelligence" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that suggests intellectual depth and thoughtfulness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not overly common, the phrase appears across various contexts, including news, formal writing, and scientific discussions, with a neutral to slightly formal tone. When using this phrase, remember that it indicates not just raw intelligence, but a considered and insightful application of intellect. Consider alternatives like "profound intellect" or "deep understanding" to fine-tune your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

profound intellect

Replaces "intelligence" with a synonym emphasizing depth and understanding.

deep understanding

Shifts from intelligence to understanding, highlighting comprehension.

remarkable intellect

Emphasizes the exceptional nature of the intelligence.

considerable brainpower

Uses a more informal term for intelligence, suggesting mental capacity.

acute awareness

Focuses on the aspect of being highly perceptive and insightful.

astute mind

Highlights the sharpness and cleverness of the intellect.

exceptional cognitive ability

Replaces "intelligence" with a more technical term, suggesting superior mental skills.

high level of insight

Emphasizes the capacity to gain a deep and accurate understanding of things.

significant mental acuity

Highlights sharpness and quickness of thought.

impressive intellectual capacity

Focuses on the ability to learn, understand, and reason.

FAQs

How can I use "a serious intelligence" in a sentence?

You can use "a serious intelligence" to describe someone's capacity for deep understanding or insightful analysis, for example: "Her ability to analyze complex issues demonstrates "a serious intelligence" that is invaluable to the team."

What are some alternatives to using "a serious intelligence"?

Alternatives include "profound intellect", "deep understanding", or "remarkable intellect", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "serious intelligence" without the article "a"?

While "serious intelligence" can be used as a general quality, including the article "a" specifies an instance or degree of it, emphasizing a particular level or manifestation of intelligence.

What's the difference between "a serious intelligence" and "high intelligence"?

"High intelligence" generally refers to a high IQ or strong cognitive abilities. "A serious intelligence" implies a thoughtful, considered, and often profound application of one's intellectual capabilities, focusing on depth and insight rather than just raw mental horsepower.