ingenious minds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ingenious minds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to individuals who are exceptionally creative or clever in their thinking and problem-solving abilities. Example: "The conference brought together a group of ingenious minds who shared their innovative ideas on technology and sustainability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

To quell boredom, their ingenious minds are working out their next piece of performance art.

The New York Times - Sports

The cinema of the future Alain de Botton | School Of Life | 23 July 2014 Film is for us what theatre was in the age of Shakespeare or painting was in the days of Leonardo da Vinci: the art form with the biggest impact, the largest budgets, the most ingenious minds at work.

BBC

So there are plenty of ingenious minds out there that are at work finding ways in which they can wreak terror upon other nations.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In his 40s, he was a bustling, jovial man with a plain face and a busy and ingenious mind.

The Guardian - Books

The five films that fall between "Crash" and "Naked Lunch" in IFC's midnight series — "Spider" (2002), "The Fly" (1986), "eXistenZ" (1999), "The Dead Zone" (1983) and "Videodrome" (1983) — show Mr. Cronenberg at or near his best, as a creator of ingenious, mind-bending, sometimes mordantly funny horror.

The New York Times

One artist who tried to systematize the use of the fortuitous mark was the English landscape painter Alexander Cozens, whose 1785 how-to manual, "A New Method of Assisting the Invention in Drawing Original Compositions of Landscape," recommends covering the page with random ink blots, "to draw forth ideas of an ingenious mind disposed to the art of designing".

The New York Times - Arts

Adenauer had an ingenious mind - an inventive mind - and researched ways of substituting available materials for scarce items, such as meat.

BBC

Ingenious creative minds often come with eccentric habits; Van Gogh was said to nibble on and even eat his own paintings, and novelist Honoré de Balzac worked from 12AM to 6PM and drank upwards of 50 cups of coffee daily.

Vice

The same ingenious compositional mind is present in each work; the same penchant for ruminative lyricism, searching harmony, skittish rhythmic writing and industrious counterpoint; the same mix of angst, elegance and humor.

The New York Times - Arts

It would seem that breaking into offices in the middle of Manhattan after providing valid identification at the front desk is not the work of the most ingenious of criminal minds.

The New York Times

We have brilliant minds, ingenious inventions and extraordinary discoveries that could make this country and this world a better place; but instead we fail for lack of initiative and persistence; quarrel and twitter and vent our frustration on each other.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ingenious minds" to describe groups or individuals who demonstrate exceptional inventiveness and cleverness in problem-solving or creative endeavors.

Common error

Avoid using "ingenious minds" in contexts where simpler terms like "smart people" or "clever individuals" would suffice. Reserve it for situations where the ingenuity is truly remarkable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ingenious minds" functions as a noun phrase, where 'ingenious' modifies 'minds'. It describes a group or collection of individuals possessing exceptional cleverness and inventiveness. Ludwig indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ingenious minds" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe individuals or groups known for their exceptional creativity and inventiveness. While Ludwig confirms its usability, its frequency is relatively rare. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts and carries a neutral to professional register. When writing, reserve "ingenious minds" for scenarios where individuals genuinely display exceptional ingenuity, and consider alternatives like "brilliant intellects" or "creative geniuses" to add variety. The most authoritative sources include The New York Times and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brilliant intellects

Replaces "minds" with a more formal noun, emphasizing intellectual capacity.

inventive minds

Focuses specifically on the ability to invent and create.

creative geniuses

Focuses on creativity as the primary attribute.

innovative thinkers

Highlights the ability to generate new ideas.

gifted individuals

Emphasizes innate talent.

astute minds

Implies sharpness and perceptiveness.

clever minds

A more general term for intelligence.

resourceful thinkers

Highlights the ability to find solutions using available resources.

talented individuals

A broader term than "ingenious", focusing on general abilities.

sharp minds

Emphasizes mental acuity and quick thinking.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "ingenious minds" in a sentence?

Use "ingenious minds" to describe individuals or groups displaying exceptional creativity and problem-solving skills. For instance, "The project benefited from the contributions of several "ingenious minds"."

What are some alternatives to using "ingenious minds"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "brilliant intellects", "creative geniuses", or "innovative thinkers" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "ingenious minds" formal or informal?

While not overly formal, "ingenious minds" is suitable for professional and news contexts. Simpler terms may be preferable in casual conversation.

When is it appropriate to use the term "ingenious minds"?

Use "ingenious minds" when you want to specifically highlight the exceptional creativity, cleverness, and inventiveness of the individuals you are describing.