an ingenious idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an ingenious idea" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a concept or plan that is particularly clever or inventive. Example: "The team presented an ingenious idea for reducing waste in the production process that impressed everyone in the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

It's an ingenious idea.

The New York Times

Coward had an ingenious idea.

The Guardian

She advised a "grooved dish drainer" for the sink, an ingenious idea at the time.

The Economist

It's an ingenious idea that sometimes works, but leads to contrived plotting.

The Guardian

He also enjoys geography, and has an ingenious idea for harnessing energy, which he's happy to demonstrate on the board.

Independent

But now the Columbia team has come up with an ingenious idea for resolving the debate: scanning the building.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

One artist who tried to systematize the use of the fortuitous mark was the English landscape painter Alexander Cozens, whose 1785 how-to manual, "A New Method of Assisting the Invention in Drawing Original Compositions of Landscape," recommends covering the page with random ink blots, "to draw forth ideas of an ingenious mind disposed to the art of designing".

The New York Times - Arts

"It's a very ingenious idea," says Shuang Zhang, a physicist at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom who was not involved with the new work.

Science Magazine

If they come up with a really ingenious idea, there are a lot of new ways of getting money to create inventive products and services, utilising the internet power of crowdfunding and crowdsourcing to make one individual's efforts go further, faster.

BBC

Even though I think it's a pretty ingenious idea to make a comp split between UK-based weirdos of the past and present, I gotta say I find myself leaning more toward the unheard oldies on here rather than the present-day types like The Pheromoans, La La Vasquez, or Helm.

Vice

It's really a pretty ingenious idea for both the service and the establishment, as it drives usage of both.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an idea as "an ingenious idea", provide specific details about why it's considered ingenious. This adds credibility and clarity to your statement.

Common error

Avoid labeling every new idea as "an ingenious idea". Reserve this phrase for truly remarkable and inventive concepts, to maintain its impact and meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an ingenious idea" functions as a noun phrase, where "ingenious" modifies the noun "idea". The phrase serves to identify and characterize a specific thought or plan as particularly clever and inventive. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an ingenious idea" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a particularly clever and inventive concept. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in various contexts, predominantly within News & Media. While applicable in both formal and informal settings, ensure the idea genuinely warrants such praise and provide specific details to support the claim. Consider alternatives like "a brilliant concept" or "a clever innovation" to add nuance to your writing and avoid overuse. Always use the right words to convey the right meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brilliant concept

Focuses on the intellectual aspect and clarity of the idea, emphasizing its cleverness.

a clever innovation

Highlights the novelty and inventiveness of the idea, suggesting it's a new solution.

a creative solution

Emphasizes the imaginative and resourceful nature of the idea as a way to resolve a problem.

an innovative approach

Focuses on the method or strategy being new and inventive, rather than just the idea itself.

a groundbreaking scheme

Suggests the idea is revolutionary and has the potential to significantly change things.

a resourceful plan

Highlights the ability to overcome challenges and make effective use of available resources.

an inspired thought

Focuses on the source of the idea, implying it came from a moment of brilliance or intuition.

a stroke of genius

Emphasizes the exceptional intelligence and insight behind the idea.

a masterful design

Highlights the skillful and artful execution of the idea.

a visionary concept

Suggests the idea is forward-thinking and anticipates future trends or needs.

FAQs

What does "an ingenious idea" mean?

It refers to a particularly clever, original, and effective idea or solution. It suggests a high degree of inventiveness and intelligence.

Are there synonyms for "an ingenious idea"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "a brilliant concept", "a clever innovation", or "a creative solution depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "an ingenious idea" in formal writing?

Yes, it is suitable for formal writing as long as the context calls for praising or highlighting the cleverness of an idea. Consider whether a more neutral term like "an innovative approach" might be more appropriate.

How can I make my writing more persuasive when presenting "an ingenious idea"?

Provide specific details about the idea's originality, effectiveness, and potential impact. Supporting your claim with evidence makes your argument more convincing.