agility of mind

USAGE SUMMARY

'agility of mind' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's quickness of thought or ability to think quickly and creatively. For example: "John demonstrated impressive agility of mind when solving the complex problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But there could be no doubts about Andrew Marr's agility of mind.

The Guardian

There can be no certainty that Mr Reagan, victorious at the age of nearly 70, would pick well, cut through his competing lieutenants and have the agility of mind to see the critical issues.

The Economist

One employee turned the work of gathering products for shipping orders into a kind of game that required great agility of mind and body.

Forbes

How You Label Determines How You See Empowering your team to work in concert to achieve your organizations goals and strategies requires flexibility of thought, agility of mind, and speed of response.

Huffington Post

Nothing wrong with civilization, although I see so little of it and of civility these days, so the intellectual virtues associated with civilization -- energy, curiosity, agility of mind -- to your answer to our "why".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Her responses, given from an isolation booth, conveyed the agility of her mind, the capacity of her memory and the ferocity of her determination.

The New York Times - Arts

Hope's breeziness, which in later years he emphasized by walking onstage with a golf club, disguised the immodesty of his ego and the agility of his mind.

The New Yorker

Critical thinking is a kind of agility of the mind.

Huffington Post

After acclimating the white thoroughbred to the hounds and the woods, he declared him to have both the physical agility and strength of mind to try anything.

The New York Times

You weren't quite aware of the feet touching the ground, this extraordinary agility of body and of mind".

The New Yorker

Cost efficiencies still are on the forefront of our top of mind issues, but agility becomes much more important.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's intellectual capabilities, use "agility of mind" to convey a sense of quickness, adaptability, and resourcefulness in their thinking. For example, "Her "agility of mind" allowed her to solve complex problems efficiently".

Common error

Avoid using "agility of mind" in contexts where physical "agility" is more appropriate. If you're describing physical prowess, stick to terms like "dexterity" or "nimbleness" to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "agility of mind" functions as a noun phrase that describes a specific quality or attribute – the quickness, resourcefulness, and adaptability of someone's thinking. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "agility of mind" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that describes the quickness, adaptability, and resourcefulness of one's thinking. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not exceedingly common, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. Alternative phrases like "mental acuity" or "intellectual agility" can be used to convey similar meanings. When using "agility of mind", ensure it aligns with the context and avoids confusion with physical "agility". It is a phrase best suited for professional or academic discourse. Top sources utilizing this phrase include The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intellectual agility

Highlights the nimbleness and adaptability of intellect.

mental sharpness

A shorter form of "sharpness of mind", conveying the same meaning.

nimbleness of intellect

Highlights the gracefulness and speed of intellectual processing.

swiftness of thought

Highlights the speed and efficiency of mental processes.

sharpness of mind

Emphasizes the keenness and clarity of intellectual perception.

mental acuity

Emphasizes sharpness and clarity of thought.

cerebral agility

Uses "cerebral" to specifically refer to the brain and its functions.

mental dexterity

Draws a parallel to physical dexterity, implying skill and ease in mental tasks.

quick-wittedness

Implies the ability to think and respond rapidly and intelligently.

cognitive flexibility

Focuses on the ability to switch between different mental tasks or ideas.

FAQs

How can I use "agility of mind" in a sentence?

You can use "agility of mind" to describe someone's ability to think quickly and creatively. For example: "The chess player demonstrated impressive "agility of mind" during the tournament."

What's a good alternative to "agility of mind"?

Alternatives include "mental acuity", "intellectual agility", or "cognitive flexibility", depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is "agility of mind" formal or informal?

While "agility of mind" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, it's generally more appropriate for professional or academic writing. Simpler alternatives might be preferred in casual conversation.

How does "agility of mind" differ from "intelligence"?

"Agility of mind" specifically refers to the speed and flexibility of thought, while "intelligence" is a broader term encompassing a range of cognitive abilities, including reasoning, problem-solving, and learning.