brilliant scheme

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brilliant scheme" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a plan or idea that is clever and well thought out, often with a positive connotation. Example: "The team's brilliant scheme to reduce costs while increasing productivity impressed the management."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

What a brilliant scheme for finally, irrevocably, impoverishing the left.

The Guardian - Opinion

The gag is that when he wakes up, Bats hatches the gang's next brilliant scheme.

The New York Times

So, in defense of his peace of mind and insular way of life, Mr. Schubert has contrived a brilliant scheme.

The New York Times

It is a brilliant scheme, and Schrager and his partner, Aby Rosen, are building it pretty much as the architects designed it.

The New Yorker

Deval Patrick, the Governor of Massachusetts, however, has formulated a brilliant scheme to prevent future subprime crises from striking his state.

The Economist

Except that the money can readily serve that purpose in modest disguise and does.This brilliant scheme has overwhelmed American election spending.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Many people are seeing parallels between the character of Richard III, his brilliant scheming and then apparent reluctance to take the throne, and Tory politicians.

The Guardian

Lewis coaches what is generally regarded as the more talented group, while Fox is the leader of a unit that makes up for its lack of speed and athleticism at certain positions with brilliant schemes, the way makeup covers blemishes.

The New York Times - Sports

Madame Chiang emerges as more than just her husband's wife; we see a brilliant, scheming, deliberately alluring, brave, corrupt chameleon of a woman who was Chiang's main weapon in playing the Americans for nearly all they were worth.

The New York Times - Books

The difference is that Cafe Tacuba's shows seem like reports of a worked-out philosophy; Beck, in contrast, is a brilliant schemer who hasn't found his final thesis.

The New York Times - Arts

A friend who was a football coach used to say that he was dubious even of the most brilliant schemes, since it tended to take the players' minds off the necessary, unavoidable business of blocking and tackling, which was where all football games, sooner or later, had to be won.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brilliant scheme" to describe a plan that is not only intelligent but also likely to succeed due to its cleverness. It implies a level of ingenuity that sets it apart from ordinary plans.

Common error

While "brilliant scheme" is generally positive, avoid using it excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral terms like "innovative strategy" or "effective approach" when a less enthusiastic tone is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brilliant scheme" functions as a noun phrase where "brilliant" modifies the noun "scheme". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples show it describing various plans across different domains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "brilliant scheme" is a noun phrase used to describe a plan or idea that is clever, well-thought-out, and likely to succeed. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and usable in English, commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts. While generally positive, more formal contexts might prefer alternatives like "innovative strategy". The phrase effectively communicates admiration or approval, highlighting the ingenuity and potential success of the plan. Keep in mind the context when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ingenious plan

Replaces "brilliant" with "ingenious", suggesting cleverness and originality.

clever strategy

Substitutes "scheme" with "strategy", implying a more deliberate and thoughtful approach.

astute tactic

Replaces "brilliant" with "astute", highlighting shrewdness and insight in the plan.

inspired idea

Focuses on the creative and imaginative aspect of the plan, using "inspired" instead of "brilliant".

remarkable strategy

Emphasizes the exceptional nature of the strategy, using "remarkable" for impact.

genius solution

Highlights the intelligence behind the solution, replacing both "brilliant" and "scheme" with related terms.

innovative approach

Focuses on the novelty and originality of the approach, diverging slightly from the core meaning.

exceptional design

Highlights the quality and uniqueness of the design.

outstanding project

Highlights the result in the creation of project or initiative, rather than the cleverness of the plan itself.

brainwave

Informal, indicates a sudden, clever idea. It is less formal than "brilliant scheme".

FAQs

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

You can use "brilliant scheme" to describe a plan or idea that is clever and well-thought-out. For example, "The company devised a "brilliant scheme" to increase sales."

What are some alternatives to "brilliant scheme"?

Alternatives include "ingenious plan", "clever strategy", or "astute tactic" depending on the context.

Is "brilliant scheme" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, it might be better to use more formal alternatives like "innovative strategy" or "effective approach" in highly formal or academic contexts.

What makes a scheme "brilliant"?

A "brilliant scheme" suggests that the plan is not only intelligent but also exceptionally clever and likely to succeed due to its ingenuity. It implies a level of creativity and effectiveness beyond the ordinary.