brilliant deduction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brilliant deduction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when praising someone's ability to draw a logical conclusion or inference based on available information. Example: "After analyzing the evidence, her brilliant deduction led the team to the right suspect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Once again Mr. Child combines brute force and brilliant deduction in the 6-foot-5 person of this footloose, mysterious former military police officer.

The New York Times - Books

Simenon's hero differs from iconic fictional detectives such as Sherlock Holmes and Poirot in that he insists he "has no method" and rarely relies on brilliant deduction or theatrical interrogation.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

His brilliant deductions are amusing, but it's the languor -- the hints of personal darkness -- that captivates.

The New York Times - Arts

In a brilliant piece of deduction, Pat Phelan and Florian Seroussi of telco startup Maxroam estimate on their blog that time spent on Twitter will cost $13.5bn in lost productivity 2008.

TechCrunch

In fact, Dr. Bell chose the young Conan Doyle to be his clerk -- a devoted-slave position that entailed emptying the bloody buckets after an autopsy, trotting after the master on the forensic cases he handled for the Edinburgh police department, and writing down the brilliant principles of criminal deduction that would later issue from the lips of the immortal Sherlock Holmes.

The New York Times

Then we get to the second chapter of the Transcendental Logic, the brilliant and baffling Transcendental Deduction (TD).

SEP

There's brilliant comic logic behind the deduction that Father Christmas must actually hate his job.

The Guardian - Books

Throughout the book, the stolid doctor follows the lead of his more volatile and brilliant friend, through both his deductions as well as some very serious errors.

Huffington Post

In Bruno Latour's comprehensive examination of laboratory life he reveals that scientific findings/facts are neither simple flashes of brilliant intuition nor purely logical deductions, but rather "social constructions" that emerge from the rather chaotic daily activities and interactions in the lab.

Plosone

I was hoping for a chance to play detective, to use my powers of observation and deduction to arrive at the brilliant solution to a dark and obscure mystery.

The New York Times - Books

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Contextualize the "brilliant deduction" by briefly explaining what led to it. This provides clarity and emphasizes the significance of the conclusion.

Common error

Avoid using "brilliant deduction" to describe simple, obvious conclusions. It's best reserved for situations where the reasoning genuinely demonstrates high intelligence or insight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brilliant deduction" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'brilliant' modifies the noun 'deduction'. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and indicates an intelligent or insightful conclusion.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "brilliant deduction" is a grammatically sound expression used to praise a particularly insightful or clever conclusion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and usable term. Though its frequency is relatively rare, it appears mostly in News & Media and Science. When using "brilliant deduction", it's best to reserve it for situations where the reasoning is genuinely exceptional, avoiding overuse in mundane contexts. Alternative phrases, like "astute inference" or "clever reasoning", can offer a more formal or subtle tone. Use the expression when you aim to highlight skillfulness in reaching a logical outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

astute inference

Replaces both the adjective and the noun with synonyms, focusing on the cleverness of the conclusion.

clever reasoning

Emphasizes the mental process involved in reaching the conclusion rather than the conclusion itself.

ingenious conclusion

Highlights the inventiveness of the conclusion.

inspired inference

Suggests a conclusion reached through sudden insight.

remarkable insight

Focuses on the depth of understanding revealed by the conclusion.

exceptional analysis

Highlights the thoroughness of the investigative part of the reasoning.

sharp analysis

Focuses on the accuracy of the reasoning.

masterful reasoning

Highlights skillfulness in reaching a logical outcome.

genius insight

Similar to "remarkable insight", focusing on innate intelligence.

inspired reasoning

Suggests that the conclusion was reached through inspiration.

FAQs

How can I use "brilliant deduction" in a sentence?

You can use "brilliant deduction" to describe someone's ability to arrive at a clever or insightful conclusion, as in "Her brilliant deduction led to the correct solution."

What's a more formal way to say "brilliant deduction"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "astute inference" or "exceptional analysis". These alternatives maintain a sense of intelligence but sound more professional.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "brilliant deduction"?

Use "brilliant deduction" when highlighting a conclusion that results from exceptional reasoning and offers significant insight. It's suitable when the thought process is particularly clever or inventive.

What are some alternatives to "brilliant deduction" that aren't as strong?

If you want to convey cleverness without being overly emphatic, try using "clever reasoning" or "sharp analysis". These phrases suggest intelligence without implying exceptional genius.