exercise of intellect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exercise of intellect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the act of using one's mental faculties or reasoning abilities in various contexts, such as education, problem-solving, or critical thinking. Example: "The debate encouraged an exercise of intellect among the participants, challenging them to think critically about the issues at hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The justices declined the honour, ruling that defining end-of-life medical practices was properly the job of the people, through their legislatures, to ponder through the exercise of intellect and conscience.

The Economist

In his Book of Religion, al-Farabi explains along these same lines that most people are not able to grasp truths through an exercise of intellect, but rather, "either due to nature or because they are occupied with other things" these people (the average folks) will "understand generally accepted or persuasive things" (BR, B 98; BR, M § 48).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

What is amazing is not the laws, but that we lowly humans have the capability of looking at the world and universe about us, and by exercise of our intellect we are able to understand much of it, if only until the next more intelligent question is posed.

The New York Times

The kind of critic, I mean, to whom, when he condemns a work or a passage, the possibility never occurs that its author may have foreseen exactly what he is going to say" Deconstruction by definition is an exercise of the intellect's predilection to disprove and deny aesthetic experience.

Johns Hopkins University

Balzac reputedly fuelled 16-hour bouts of writing with copious servings of coffee, which, he wrote, "chases away sleep and gives us the capacity to engage a little longer in the exercise of our intellects".

The Guardian

Balzac reputedly fuelled sixteen-hour bouts of writing with copious servings of coffee, which, he wrote, "chases away sleep, and gives us the capacity to engage a little longer in the exercise of our intellects".

The New Yorker

Balzac reputedly fuelled sixteen-hour bouts of writing with copious servings of coffee, which, he wrote, "chases away sleep, and gives us the capacity to engage a little longer in the exercise of our intellects". Sartre dosed himself with speed in order to finish "Critique of Dialectical Reason". My college friends and I wrote term papers with the sweaty-palmed assistance of NoDoz tablets.

The New Yorker

Jazz brought the dimension of wordless, unquestioning physical emotion into a life otherwise almost monopolised by words and the exercises of the intellect.

The Guardian - Books

In exercising their powers of intellect and will, intellectual creatures discover the highest and most perfect object of their powers in the Divine Source of their being, since God is the First or Highest Truth and the First or Chief Good.

SEP

When we talk about "intelligence" we are describing behaviour, or a propensity towards certain behaviour, and not the exercise of some disembodied intellect.

The Guardian - Books

Descartes designated the exercise of the intellectual capacity apart from sense-based images the use of the "pure intellect".

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exercise of intellect" when you want to emphasize the active and deliberate use of mental capabilities in a specific context, such as problem-solving or critical analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "exercise of intellect" in situations where simpler terms like "thinking" or "reasoning" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exercise of intellect" functions primarily as a noun phrase that describes the act of using one's mental faculties. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct and serves to highlight deliberate cognitive engagement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

37%

Academia

31%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exercise of intellect" is a grammatically sound and formally inclined way to describe the application of one's mental capabilities. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness. While not exceedingly common, its presence in academic, scientific, and news contexts suggests a deliberate and purposeful use. For more casual settings, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate. Remember to use this phrase judiciously to maintain clarity and avoid sounding pretentious.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

application of reason

Focuses on the rational aspect of intellect, suggesting a deliberate and logical approach.

application of mental faculties

Emphasizes the use of inherent intellectual abilities.

intellectual exertion

Emphasizes the effort and energy involved in using one's intellect.

cognitive engagement

Highlights the active participation of the mind in a task or activity.

mental gymnastics

Suggests a playful or complex use of intellect, often for problem-solving or creative thinking.

use of cognitive skills

Focuses on the practical application of specific cognitive abilities.

intellectual labor

Presents intellectual activity as work, often implying a sustained effort.

rational thought process

Stresses the structured and logical nature of intellectual activity.

mental acuity

Highlights the sharpness and clarity of one's intellect.

deployment of intelligence

Suggests a strategic and purposeful use of intellect.

FAQs

How can I use "exercise of intellect" in a sentence?

You can use "exercise of intellect" to describe the act of applying one's mental faculties to solve a problem, understand a concept, or make a decision. For instance, "The debate required an "exercise of intellect" to analyze the complex arguments presented."

What's a simpler way to say "exercise of intellect"?

Alternatives include "thinking", "reasoning", or "mental effort", depending on the context. The choice depends on the level of formality desired.

Is "exercise of intellect" formal or informal?

"Exercise of intellect" is generally considered a formal phrase. In more casual settings, simpler terms like "thinking hard" or "using your brain" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "exercise of intellect" and "intellectual pursuit"?

"Exercise of intellect" refers to the active application of one's mental abilities, while "intellectual pursuit" denotes an ongoing quest for knowledge or understanding in a particular field.