brainpower

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'brainpower' is considered correct and is commonly used in written English.
You can use 'brainpower' when referring to the capacity or ability of the brain to think, reason, and solve problems. It is typically used to describe someone's intelligence, mental acuity, or intellectual strength. Example: "His amazing brainpower allowed him to excel in complex problem-solving tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Well, no knock-outs there but any predictions that Paul Ryan's mighty brainpower was going to wipe the floor with Old Joe seem misplaced.

The Guardian

Because of ignorance or intemperance, lack of willpower or brainpower, people choose badly.

The Economist

But those at the top of the consulting, investment-banking and legal professions know that the most prized possession in uncertain times is not brainpower, but self-confidence.

The Economist

Although politicians often seem to regard manufacturing as more noble than lending money, crunching numbers or writing contracts, buyers are more impressed by the country's brainpower.

The Economist

So too are dairy farms in Nigeria (see article) or even businesses that sell mainly brainpower.

The Economist

Pharmaceutical and defence-related research aside, Britain's bosses spend less on brainpower than their competitors do.

The Economist

Small wonder that many famous names are shadows of their former selves.Unleashing universities' "full potential", and "mobilising the brainpower of Europe" are at the heart of the commission's plans to create a knowledge-based European economy.

The Economist

But seldom in the history of electoral democracy has so much brainpower been devoted to ensuring that a poll is a foregone conclusion as in Hong Kong over the past three decades.

The Economist

Last year it doubled its number of employees to 20,000.The company's success is due to the deployment of lots of brainpower in a business generally seen as unexciting.

The Economist

The biggest task is to harness local brainpower.

The Economist

At the same time, there's a limited amount of economist brainpower out there.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brainpower" to highlight the intellectual resources available within a group or organization. For example, "The project benefited from the collective brainpower of the team."

Common error

While "brainpower" is generally acceptable, overly relying on it in casual conversations can sound pretentious. Opt for simpler terms like "intelligence" or "smartness" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "brainpower" is that of a noun. As supported by Ludwig AI, "brainpower" is a commonly used term in English to refer to mental ability or intelligence. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use in describing the intellectual capacity of individuals or groups.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "brainpower" is a noun that refers to mental ability and intelligence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and common usage in English. It functions to emphasize the value of intellectual capacity, and while generally neutral in register, it can lean towards formality in academic contexts. With a "Very common" frequency, it appears most often in "News & Media" and "Formal & Business" sources. When using "brainpower", consider the context to ensure it aligns with the desired tone, and be aware of alternative phrases like ""intellectual capacity"" or "mental acuity" for greater precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intellectual capacity

Focuses on the potential or ability to learn and understand.

mental acuity

Emphasizes sharpness and quickness of thought.

cognitive ability

Highlights the mental processes involved in knowing, learning, and understanding.

intellectual prowess

Suggests exceptional skill and ability in intellectual pursuits.

mental capacity

Refers to the upper limit of one's ability to learn and understand.

reasoning ability

Stresses the capacity for logical thought and inference.

intelligence

A general term for the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills.

mental horsepower

An informal way to refer to great mental energy.

cognitive skills

Skills that are necessary for thinking and reasoning.

mental resources

Emphasizes the availability and utilization of cognitive abilities.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "brainpower" in a sentence?

Use "brainpower" to refer to the intellectual capacity or ability of individuals or groups. For example, "The company's success relies on the "intellectual capacity" of its employees".

What are some alternatives to using "brainpower" in my writing?

Depending on the context, you can substitute "brainpower" with phrases like "intelligence", "mental acuity", "cognitive ability", or "intellectual prowess".

Is there a difference between "brainpower" and "intelligence"?

"Brainpower" often refers to the capacity to think and reason, while "intelligence" is a broader term encompassing various cognitive abilities. While similar, "brainpower" may emphasize the active application of mental skills.

When is it appropriate to use the term "brainpower"?

The term "brainpower" is suitable in both formal and informal contexts when referring to mental ability or intellectual capacity. However, consider the audience and context to ensure it aligns with the overall tone and register.