intellectual capacities

USAGE SUMMARY

'intellectual capacities' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone's or something's intellectual abilities or powers of understanding. For example: "The student demonstrated remarkable intellectual capacities in their entrance exams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

His transcendental yearnings, if not his intellectual capacities, are of the scale of Ralph Waldo Emerson's.

The New Yorker

I was not selfish to want to restart my interrupted education and develop my intellectual capacities.

The New York Times

The giving and receiving of information, speculation, criticism, fantasy, the exchange within the entire range of our intellectual capacities, is the freedom that brings the others into being.

The Guardian - Books

It was, he wrote, "impossible for us to develop our moral and intellectual capacities as a distinct people, under our present social and political disabilities".

The New York Times

Would people who will have brain implants to enhance their vision or intellectual capacities be treated differently to those of us who may choose to remain implant-free?

The Guardian

However, Asad follows the rationalist commentators and has them becoming like apes and pigs, ie losing their intellectual capacities and becoming dominated by greed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Spinoza applied this category to the prophets, whom he described as possessing vivid imaginations but as not necessarily having outstanding intellectual capacities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His intellectual capacities were, however, brought to a focus as the result of his independent study, especially of Rudolf Clausius's writings on thermodynamics.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It seems to sum up what Daniel Miller later tells me about how most people in the business seriously underestimate the artistic and intellectual capacities of young record buyers.

The Guardian - Music

More important, when one reflects upon any exercise of knowledge, whether practical or theoretical, it appears to have the characteristics that would naïvely be ascribed to the exercise of both practical and intellectual capacities.

The New York Times

He also suggested that teachers should meet four times a year to examine together the intellectual capacities of each one of their pupils so that suitable programs of study could be arranged for them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific or academic contexts, use "intellectual capacities" to refer to specific cognitive functions being studied.

Common error

Avoid using "intellectual capacities" in casual conversation; simpler terms like "intelligence" or "thinking skills" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intellectual capacities" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving to identify and describe the cognitive abilities or potential of an individual or a group. It is frequently used in academic, scientific, and news contexts, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "intellectual capacities" is a noun phrase widely used to refer to cognitive abilities. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English. Its formality makes it suited for academic, scientific, and professional contexts, though it may be less appropriate for casual conversation. Related phrases such as "cognitive abilities" and "mental capabilities" offer alternative ways to express similar concepts. When using "intellectual capacities", be mindful of the context and consider whether a simpler term might be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cognitive abilities

Focuses specifically on the mental processes involved in knowing, understanding, and learning.

mental capabilities

Emphasizes the potential or inherent capacity of the mind.

cognitive skills

Highlights learned or developed abilities related to thinking and reasoning.

mental faculties

Refers to the inherent powers or abilities of the mind.

intellectual prowess

Suggests exceptional skill and ability in intellectual endeavors.

thinking skills

Focuses on the skills involved in the process of thinking.

reasoning abilities

Highlights the capacity for logical thought and inference.

problem-solving skills

Refers specifically to the skills used to find solutions to problems.

cognitive competence

Indicates the ability to adequately perform cognitive tasks.

brainpower

Informal way to refer to intellectual ability.

FAQs

How do you use "intellectual capacities" in a sentence?

You can use "intellectual capacities" to describe someone's cognitive abilities, such as "The study aimed to assess the intellectual capacities of the participants".

What are some synonyms for "intellectual capacities"?

Some synonyms for "intellectual capacities" include "cognitive abilities", "mental capabilities", and "thinking skills".

Is "intellectual capacity" or "intellectual capacities" more correct?

"Intellectual capacity" refers to the general ability, while "intellectual capacities" refers to specific abilities or the range of intellectual capabilities.

How do "intellectual capacities" differ from "cognitive functions"?

"Intellectual capacities" is a broader term encompassing overall cognitive abilities, while "cognitive functions" refers to specific mental processes like memory, attention, and language.