analytical

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'analytical' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective which means 'relating to close and detailed analysis'. For example: He is an analytical thinker who can dissect complicated problems.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(An analytical arc as groundbreaking as that is going to challenge common sense at a number of levels).

The Guardian

Milne: Go to an election on it because increasingly Australians are recognising how conned they were by the absolute tripe, superficial nonsense of 'axe the tax.' Just while this debate continues I want to put an analytical thought to readers for their consideration.

The Guardian

A study by Elson and colleagues last year showed that for one particular methodology, the modified Taylor Competitive Reaction Time task, if you take a typical data set and analyse it using one of twenty-eight different analytical variants that exist in the research literature, it is possible to find 'evidence' to support any hypothesis you so wish.

The Guardian

Qualities such as energy, enthusiasm, flair, imagination, analytical skills, intellectual curiosity and "a reluctance to accept things at face value", are also crucial, says Baker.

The Guardian

He believed himself to possess a set of basic analytical tools for operating upon a work of art.

The Guardian - Books

We have an analytical piece from Slavoj Žižek that makes the point that they didn't join willingly.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ill-prepared for government, deprived of David Laws' analytical brain and keen to co-operate, they do not – yet – have much to boast about in return for giving the Tories generous cover.

The Guardian

But the Mail & Guardian's online editor Chris Roper said the paper was exercising its "legitimate right to have an analytical opinion on the political situation".

The Guardian

Computer science is about quantitative and analytical skills, while philosophy focuses on flexible thinking, structuring logical arguments and communicating them.

The Guardian

At best, the measures of aggression that are used in such work are unstandardised; at worst, the field has been shown to be riddled with basic methodological and analytical flaws.

The Guardian

His command over detailed fact was, however, occasionally less sure than his analytical ability, as evidenced, for example, by his claim that Japan was an example of a liberal economy.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing skills, pair "analytical" with specific areas of expertise (e.g., "analytical skills in finance").

Common error

Avoid using "analytical" with nouns that already imply analysis. For instance, saying "analytical analysis" is redundant.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "analytical" functions primarily to describe a quality or characteristic related to the process of analysis. It modifies nouns to indicate a detailed and systematic approach to understanding or solving problems, like "analytical skills" or "analytical framework". Ludwig's examples confirm this descriptive function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "analytical" is used to describe something related to or employing a method of analysis, emphasizing detailed examination and logical reasoning. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and common usage, especially in contexts like news, business, and science. While alternatives like "methodical" or "logical" exist, "analytical" is frequently used to highlight the thoroughness and rigor of an approach. When using "analytical", avoid redundancy by pairing it with nouns that don't already imply analysis, and remember that while it fits well in professional writing, clear communication remains paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

methodical

Emphasizes a systematic approach to analysis.

logical

Focuses on reasoning based on sound principles.

systematic

Highlights an organized and structured approach.

critical

Suggests a questioning and evaluative approach.

diagnostic

Implies identifying problems through analysis.

investigative

Conveys a thorough search for information.

evaluative

Focuses on assessing the value or quality.

reasoned

Highlights analysis based on careful thought.

interpretive

Focuses on explaining the meaning of something.

discerning

Implies keen observation and judgment.

FAQs

How can I use "analytical" in a sentence?

You can use "analytical" to describe skills, processes, or approaches that involve detailed examination and logical reasoning. For example, "She has an "analytical mind"" or "The report provides an "analytical overview" of the market trends".

What are some alternatives to the word "analytical"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "methodical", "logical", or "critical" to convey similar meanings.

Is it correct to say "analytical skills"?

Yes, "analytical skills" is a common and correct usage. It refers to the ability to examine information, identify patterns, and draw logical conclusions.

What's the difference between "analytical" and "analytic"?

"Analytical" is generally used to describe something that employs analysis, while "analytic" is often used in more technical or mathematical contexts. Though similar, "analytical" is more frequently used in general writing.