an ingenious scheme

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an ingenious scheme" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a clever or inventive plan or strategy, often with a positive connotation. Example: "The team presented an ingenious scheme to improve efficiency in the workplace, which impressed the management."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The Taiwanese government introduced an ingenious scheme in the 1980s.

The Economist

But that's only the first coup de théâtre in an ingenious scheme to paralyze the city.

The New York Times - Books

Will Self came up with an ingenious scheme for the government to pay some would-be authors not to write.

The Guardian - Books

Viewers circulate according to an ingenious scheme that Sharon and Elizabeth Cline, the Industry's executive director, worked out one night with an array of toy cars bought at a Little Tokyo market.

The New Yorker

Beginning with a logical system for mathematics, one presumed to be free of contradictions, he invented an ingenious scheme that allowed the formulas in it to engage in a sort of double speak.

The New Yorker

By H. W. Roberts and Russell Maloney The New Yorker, August 24, 1940 P. 11 A United Air Line pilot has worked out an ingenious scheme for communicating with his wife while he is in the air.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Herbert was devising what appeared to be a particularly ingenious scheme, and in the course of debunking it, Kaiser ventures, mainstream physicists came to appreciate that entanglement does allow for something else: encrypting messages so that they are impossible, in theory, to surreptitiously intercept.

The New York Times - Books

The team and its owner have long been mysterious (one of Davis's players once compared him to Greta Garbo), but the lengthy silences were taken to mean that Davis was concocting some ingenious scheme — a new offense, a surprise draft choice, even moving the whole team to Los Angeles, which he did in 1982 for 13 years and has threatened to do again.

The New York Times - Sports

But this is rather like praising an alcoholic for his ingenious scheme to quit the bottle by drinking himself into bankruptcy.

The Economist

As DeMille readied his costly Paramount production for release a half-century ago, he seized on an ingenious publicity scheme.

The New York Times

He greatly expanded an ingenious charity scheme probably begun by Nerva: money was loaned to farmers on easy terms, and the low interest they paid went into a special fund for supporting indigent children.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an ingenious scheme" when you want to highlight the cleverness and inventiveness of a plan or strategy, particularly one that solves a problem or achieves a goal in a creative way.

Common error

Avoid using "an ingenious scheme" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral or precise language like "a creative solution" or "an innovative approach" /s/innovative+approach to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an ingenious scheme" functions as a noun phrase, where "ingenious" modifies the noun "scheme". It serves to describe a particular plan or method as being clever and inventive. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an ingenious scheme" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, that describes a clever and inventive plan or strategy. It is most commonly found in News & Media and Encyclopedia sources, suggesting a neutral register. While generally acceptable, writers should consider the context and opt for more formal alternatives like "a creative solution" or "an innovative approach" /s/innovative+approach in highly formal settings. Remember to use it when you want to highlight the cleverness and inventiveness behind a plan, but avoid overuse in very formal contexts. Overall, this analysis, powered by Ludwig, provides a comprehensive overview of the phrase's usage, alternatives, and potential pitfalls.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brilliant plan

Replaces 'ingenious' with 'brilliant', focusing on the cleverness and success of the plan.

a clever strategy

Substitutes 'scheme' with 'strategy', highlighting the calculated and strategic nature of the approach.

a smart tactic

Uses 'smart tactic' to convey a sense of intelligence and tactical advantage in the plan.

a creative solution

Emphasizes the innovative and imaginative aspect of the scheme as a solution to a problem.

an innovative approach

Focuses on the novelty and originality of the scheme in its method or style.

a resourceful method

Highlights the ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties.

a cunning plot

Implies a degree of craftiness or deception in the scheme, focusing on achieving a goal through cleverness.

an artful design

Emphasizes the skillful and aesthetically pleasing nature of the plan.

a masterful strategy

Highlights the high level of skill and expertise involved in creating the plan.

a groundbreaking concept

Focuses on the originality and potential impact of the underlying idea of the scheme.

FAQs

How can I use "an ingenious scheme" in a sentence?

You can use "an ingenious scheme" to describe a clever and inventive plan or strategy. For example: "The company devised "an ingenious scheme" to reduce costs."

What are some alternatives to "an ingenious scheme"?

Some alternatives include "a brilliant plan", "a clever strategy", or "a smart tactic" depending on the context.

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

While "an ingenious scheme" is generally acceptable, it might be perceived as slightly informal in some academic or business contexts. Consider alternatives like "a creative solution" or "an innovative approach" for a more professional tone.

What distinguishes "an ingenious scheme" from "a cunning plot"?

"An ingenious scheme" typically implies cleverness and inventiveness in a positive light, while "a cunning plot" suggests craftiness or deception, often with a negative connotation. The choice depends on the intended tone and the nature of the plan being described.