his intellect

USAGE SUMMARY

"his intellect" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a person's intelligence or cognitive capacity. For example: "John was renowned for his intellect and sharp wit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He's using his intellect.

The New York Times

"His intellect, his charisma.

The New Yorker

But his intellect also lost its edge.

Independent

We miss his intellect and loving care.

The New York Times

"His intellect was truly amazing".

The New York Times

"I respect his intellect," he said.

The New Yorker

But his intellect was never a barrier.

The Guardian

We will miss his intellect, humor and generous spirit.

The New York Times

But there was little doubt about his intellect.

The New York Times

Lessig does not separate his intellect from his emotions.

The New Yorker

I love his heart and his commitment and his intellect.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "his intellect" when you want to emphasize a person's capacity for reasoning, understanding, and complex thought. It's particularly effective in contexts where you want to highlight mental capabilities and intellectual power.

Common error

Avoid using "his intellect" in situations where simpler terms like "his intelligence" or "his mind" would suffice. Overusing formal terms can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "his intellect" functions as a noun phrase, with "his" acting as a possessive adjective modifying the noun "intellect". It typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples, where it denotes a quality or attribute of a person.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"His intellect" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase, predominantly utilized to characterize an individual's mental capability and aptitude for reasoning. As confirmed by Ludwig, it enjoys widespread usage across various authoritative sources, particularly in news, academic, and scientific domains. While synonyms like "his mind" or "his intelligence" exist, "his intellect" often conveys a more formal or sophisticated tone. Although generally appropriate, it's advisable to reserve it for contexts where its precise meaning is most fitting, avoiding overuse in simpler conversations. Ludwig's examples effectively illustrate the phrase's versatility and demonstrate its prevalence in respected publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

his mind

Emphasizes the overall cognitive capacity and thought processes.

his understanding

Focuses on the ability to comprehend and grasp complex ideas.

his intelligence

A direct synonym, referring to general mental ability and reasoning skills.

his reasoning

Highlights the capacity for logical thought and deduction.

his cognitive ability

Refers specifically to mental processes involved in knowing, learning, and understanding.

his mental acuity

Focuses on sharpness and quickness of thought.

his intellectual capacity

Emphasizes the potential for intellectual growth and development.

his brainpower

An informal way to describe intellectual ability or mental capacity.

his mental prowess

Highlights exceptional skill and ability in intellectual tasks.

his sagacity

Refers to keen mental discernment and sound judgment.

FAQs

How can I use "his intellect" in a sentence?

"His intellect" is used to describe someone's capacity for thought and reasoning. For example: "The professor was renowned for his intellect and contributions to the field."

What are some synonyms for "his intellect"?

Alternatives include "his mind", "his understanding", or "his intelligence". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey; for example "his mind" emphasizes overall cognitive capacity.

Is it better to say "his intelligence" or "his intellect"?

Both are correct, but "his intellect" often implies a more sophisticated or academic level of intelligence. The choice depends on the context and the specific shade of meaning you want to convey. Intelligence is more common while intellect is more abstract.

In what contexts is "his intellect" most appropriate?

"His intellect" is often used in more formal or academic contexts, when describing someone's capacity for complex thought, reasoning, and understanding. News articles, academic papers, and biographies are all appropriate contexts.