acuteness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acuteness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe sharpness, intensity, or keenness, often in relation to senses, intellect, or conditions. Example: "The acuteness of her hearing allowed her to detect the faintest sounds in the environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On the contrary, the very acuteness of his scrutiny serves to drive any hint of sickly sentimentality from the compassion with which he imbues his characters, mankind and life itself.

The Economist

"Later, I learned that many of them were sick with hangovers of varying degrees of acuteness".It was McKelway's good fortune to be tutored by Harold Ross, the editor of the New Yorker from 1925 to 1951.

The Economist

The Lost Leader, his collection of portraits of iconic figures and events from Scottish history, was compared to the works of Browning for its "acuteness and variousness and poetic resonance".

Encyclopedia Britannica

He was honoured as eminent in breadth of learning, in acuteness of thought, and in elegance of pen and was taken to heart for his simple goodness and cheerfulness.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This idea was taken up and applied with learning and acuteness to the origins of Christianity by David Friedrich Strauss (1808 74), who published in 1835, at the age of 27, a remarkable and influential three-volume work, Das Leben Jesu (The Life of Jesus, Critically Examined, 1846).

Encyclopedia Britannica

He was one of the greatest writers in economic history, combining erudition and critical acuteness to an extraordinary degree.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The work of Encina's Portuguese disciple Gil Vicente, a court poet at Lisbon who wrote in both Castilian and Portuguese, showed a significantly improved naturalness of dialogue, acuteness of observation, and sense of situation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In these television plays, Bennett's comic genius for capturing the rich waywardness of everyday speech combines with psychological acuteness, emotional delicacy, and a melancholy consciousness of life's transience.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Acuteness of judgement too; he happened to be at Anfield in 1988 when Liverpool beat Nottingham Forest 5-0 askedasked on TV afterwards how he rated their performance, gave the least fogeyish reply imaginable, averring that it was the best he had even seen.

Independent

Certainly there is no questioning the acuteness of Letwin's political antennae.

Independent

Professor Lee said of the winning novel: "It is a magnificent novel of humane breadth and wisdom, comic tenderness and powerful political acuteness.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "acuteness" when you want to emphasize a high degree of sensitivity, sharpness, or insight, particularly in intellectual or sensory contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "acuteness" when simpler terms like "sharpness" or "intensity" would suffice. Overusing "acuteness" can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "acuteness" is as a noun, typically referring to a quality or state of being sharp or intense. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where "acuteness" acts as a noun, describing the intensity of senses, intellect, or conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acuteness" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun that conveys sharpness, intensity, or keen perception. Ludwig AI's analysis validates its correctness and applicability across various contexts, especially in news, encyclopedias, and scientific domains. It's advisable to use "acuteness" when you wish to highlight a superior degree of insight or sensory perception. While alternatives like "keenness" and "sharpness" exist, "acuteness" often carries a more formal or intellectual tone. Be mindful of overusing it in contexts where simpler terms would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keenness

Emphasizes sharpness of intellect or perception, slightly more general than "acuteness".

sharpness

Focuses on the quality of being sharp, either physically or mentally; a more direct synonym.

acuity

Refers to sharpness of vision or intellect, often used in a medical or technical context.

perceptiveness

Highlights the ability to perceive things accurately and with insight, shifting the focus to the act of perceiving.

discernment

Stresses the ability to distinguish or differentiate, implying careful judgment.

insightfulness

Focuses on the depth and understanding of a person's insights, emphasizing the quality of understanding.

penetration

Indicates a deep understanding or insight that goes beyond the surface.

astuteness

Highlights shrewdness and practical intelligence, particularly in business or politics.

incisiveness

Emphasizes the quality of being clear, direct, and effective in analysis or expression.

cleverness

Highlights intelligence and quick-wittedness, often implying ingenuity.

FAQs

How can I use "acuteness" in a sentence?

You can use "acuteness" to describe the intensity of a feeling, the sharpness of a sense, or the insightfulness of intellect. For example, "The acuteness of her hearing allowed her to detect subtle sounds," or "His acuteness of mind made him a brilliant strategist".

What can I say instead of "acuteness"?

You can use alternatives like "keenness", "sharpness", "acuity", or "perceptiveness" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "acuteness" or "intensity"?

"Acuteness" is best used when referring to sharpness of perception or intellect, while "intensity" is more suitable for describing the strength of a feeling or sensation. The choice depends on the specific quality you want to emphasize.

What is the difference between "acuteness" and "sensitivity"?

"Acuteness" implies a high degree of sharpness or insight, while "sensitivity" refers to the capacity to feel or perceive. One might have an "acuteness" of hearing (sharp perception) or a "sensitivity" to criticism (easily affected by feelings).