ingenious scheme

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ingenious scheme" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a clever or inventive plan or strategy, often with a positive connotation. Example: "The inventor presented his ingenious scheme for reducing energy consumption in homes, impressing everyone at the conference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

The Taiwanese government introduced an ingenious scheme in the 1980s.

The Economist

But that's only the first coup de théâtre in an ingenious scheme to paralyze the city.

The New York Times - Books

Will Self came up with an ingenious scheme for the government to pay some would-be authors not to write.

The Guardian - Books

In one ingenious scheme, they wrote "freedom" on banknotes, but then banks refused to take notes with any markings on them.

The New Yorker

But this is rather like praising an alcoholic for his ingenious scheme to quit the bottle by drinking himself into bankruptcy.

The Economist

Viewers circulate according to an ingenious scheme that Sharon and Elizabeth Cline, the Industry's executive director, worked out one night with an array of toy cars bought at a Little Tokyo market.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

He was "in every sense a projector", excited by ingenious schemes rather than hard-earned profits.

The Guardian - Books

As our Creative Summer project continues, we have some ingenious schemes to report.

The Guardian

Committees too often rubber stamp these ingenious schemes with little real scrutiny.

The Guardian - Opinion

ENERGY policy is not short of ingenious schemes involving unproven ideas and lots of other people's money.

The Economist

Ingenious schemes to better the lot of the poor fail because the poor themselves often fail to stick to them.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ingenious scheme", ensure the context clearly demonstrates the clever and inventive nature of the plan. Provide specific details to highlight its ingenuity.

Common error

Avoid using "ingenious scheme" as a generic compliment. The plan needs to genuinely exhibit cleverness or originality, not just be a standard approach. Make sure to explicitly convey what makes the plan so smart.

Linguistic Context

Adjective-noun phrase. The phrase "ingenious scheme" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "ingenious" modifies the noun "scheme", highlighting its clever and inventive qualities. As stated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its use in describing plans and strategies across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ingenious scheme" is a well-regarded and frequently used expression, primarily functioning as a noun phrase that describes a plan or strategy as being particularly clever and inventive. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. Its appearance across diverse sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Economist indicates a neutral register, appropriate for both news media and academic contexts. When employing this phrase, it is essential to ensure that the context clearly highlights the cleverness and originality of the described plan, providing sufficient detail to substantiate its ingenuity. While alternatives like "clever plan", "brilliant idea", and "innovative strategy" exist, "ingenious scheme" carries a distinct emphasis on inventiveness and skillful design.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clever plan

Replaces "ingenious" with a more common synonym, making the phrase slightly less formal.

brilliant idea

Shifts the focus to the conceptual aspect, highlighting the spark of insight.

innovative strategy

Emphasizes the novelty and forward-thinking nature of the approach.

creative solution

Highlights the problem-solving aspect and the originality of the approach.

smart move

Focuses on the tactical advantage and shrewdness of the action.

astute method

Stresses the cleverness and practical wisdom of the chosen procedure.

cunning ploy

Suggests a degree of deception or manipulation in the scheme.

inspired design

Highlights the creative and imaginative aspect of the plan's structure.

devious plan

Suggests an element of trickery and underhandedness in the scheme.

masterful tactic

Emphasizes the skill and expertise involved in the execution of the plan.

FAQs

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

You can use "ingenious scheme" to describe a clever or inventive plan or strategy. For example: "The company devised an "ingenious scheme" to reduce costs."

What are some alternatives to "ingenious scheme"?

You can use alternatives like "clever plan", "brilliant idea", or "innovative strategy" depending on the specific context. Each alternative emphasizes a slightly different aspect of the plan's cleverness or novelty.

Is "ingenious scheme" formal or informal?

"Ingenious scheme" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase, suitable for both news articles and academic papers. However, more informal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "smart move" or "creative solution".

What makes a scheme truly "ingenious"?

An "ingenious scheme" is characterized by its cleverness, originality, and effectiveness in achieving a specific goal. It often involves a unique or unexpected approach that demonstrates a high level of creativity and problem-solving ability.