exercise ingenuity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exercise ingenuity" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the act of using creativity or cleverness to solve a problem or overcome a challenge. For example: "In order to complete the project on time, we had to exercise ingenuity in our approach." Alternative expressions include "demonstrate creativity" and "apply resourcefulness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Yet, Déjà Vu's failings are not the result of a back-firing attempt to exercise ingenuity, rather they are the dull nullifying results of a producer's identity disappearing into the miasma of the mainstream.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The British Pavilion at Expo 70 in Osaka gave Moya and the structural engineer Charles Weiss an opportunity to exercise their ingenuity - and to set a fashion for masted structures.

The Guardian

Often, you have to create your own commissions, or take on projects not considered architecture by more established practices, or exercise extreme ingenuity with nonexistent budgets.

The Guardian - Arts

And what does it mean to exercise human ingenuity responsibly, given the ever-expanding scope of our powers?

BBC

Whenever human beings are permitted to pursue their own ideas and exercise their ingenuity without being bullied into conformity by authority, the results are always surprising and often sensational.

Forbes

In a letter to friend Dr. Joseph Snodgrass, Poe said of "The Murders in the Rue Morgue", "its theme was the exercise of ingenuity in detecting a murderer".

Wikipedia

Perhaps if the airport management would exercise some ingenuity and lure both airlines and passengers back to Bob Hope Airport, the revenue slide would abate and even reverse the recent downward trend.

Los Angeles Times

Gilbert wrote, "The Mikado of the opera was an imaginary monarch of a remote period and cannot by any exercise of ingenuity be taken to be a slap on an existing institution".

Wikipedia

John Wilding's 1993 book Jack the Ripper Revealed used the connections between Druitt and Stephen to propose that they committed the crimes together, but reviewers considered it an "imaginative tale ... most questionable", an "exercise in ingenuity rather than ... fact", and "lack[ing] evidential support".

Wikipedia

Children exercise their ingenuity and protect their health building sanitary hand washing stations LOMÉ, Togo, 3 July 2012 - In Togo, under-5 child mortality rates are staggering; more than one in ten die before their fifth birthday.

Unicef

As for the weapon, golden-age mystery writers exercised great ingenuity over this.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing problem-solving scenarios, use "exercise ingenuity" to convey a sense of cleverness and resourcefulness in overcoming challenges.

Common error

While generally appropriate, avoid using "exercise ingenuity" in overly formal or academic writing where simpler terms like "apply creativity" might be more suitable. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exercise ingenuity" functions as a verb phrase where "exercise" acts as a transitive verb taking "ingenuity" as its direct object. It describes the act of putting one's cleverness and inventiveness into action. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

21%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exercise ingenuity" is a grammatically correct phrase that describes the act of applying cleverness and resourcefulness. While Ludwig indicates the phrase is usable in written English, its frequency leans toward uncommon usage. The phrase appears most often in news and media, wiki, and science-related articles and carries a register that ranges from neutral to professional. For alternative phrasing, consider options such as "demonstrate creativity" or "apply resourcefulness" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exhibit ingenuity

Synonymous, but uses a more formal tone.

demonstrate creativity

Focuses on the act of showing creativity rather than the application of cleverness.

apply resourcefulness

Highlights the ability to find and use available resources effectively.

employ inventiveness

Emphasizes the use of original and creative ideas.

show innovation

Focuses on introducing new methods or ideas.

display cleverness

Highlights the quality of being intelligent and quick-witted.

leverage creativity

Focuses on using creativity to gain an advantage.

tap into inventiveness

Suggests accessing a hidden or underutilized source of creativity.

cultivate resourcefulness

Implies developing resourcefulness over time.

foster innovation

Highlights promoting and encouraging innovative thinking.

FAQs

How can I /s/demonstrate+creativity instead of "exercise ingenuity"?

You can use alternative phrases such as "demonstrate creativity", "apply resourcefulness", or "employ inventiveness" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "exercise ingenuity" in formal writing?

While "exercise ingenuity" is generally acceptable, consider whether a more straightforward term like "apply creativity" or "use resourcefulness" might be more appropriate for a particularly formal or academic context. The best choice depends on the specific tone and audience.

What does it mean to /s/apply+resourcefulness?

To "apply resourcefulness" means to effectively use available resources and clever thinking to overcome a challenge. It highlights the ability to find solutions even when resources are limited.

When is it better to use "exercise ingenuity" versus simply saying "be creative"?

"Exercise ingenuity" is suitable when you want to emphasize the active application of cleverness and problem-solving skills in a particular situation. "Be creative" is a broader exhortation to generate new and original ideas without necessarily implying a specific challenge.