intellectual effort is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intellectual effort is" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the effort one must make in order to achieve something mentally or academically. For example, "Making progress on this difficult calculus problem requires a lot of intellectual effort."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The overweening American hostility to education, and the corresponding emphasis on the attainment of wealth, fame and celebrity status with minimal intellectual effort, is also the reason sports are "the core culture" in American high schools, as Ripley recognizes.

The New York Times - Books

What happens is that too much intellectual effort is expended trying to untangle the meaning from what is written and said, and our brains become distracted, softened up, willing to accept the clumsy groping advances of the hokey messages that prey on the vulnerable.

The Guardian

On the other hand, significant intellectual effort is required in any given field to understand the illusory nature of such explanations and the manner in which they obstruct the identification and assertion of real issues.

SEP

Considerably more intellectual effort is now devoted to devising new sanctions against North Korea than to scoping out a more balanced diplomacy which could actually achieve American strategic objectives -- without risking a war on the Korean peninsula leading to a potential military confrontation between the United States and China.

Huffington Post

To my way of thinking, what is distinctive about natural science (as opposed to other forms of human intellectual effort) is the use of a specific method (the "hypothetico-deductive method") that decides among competing hypotheses by formulating falsifiable predictions of each hypothesis [ 57].

Biology Direct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Good health habits and strenuous intellectual effort are beneficial in themselves, but they will not protect us from a silent, genetically influenced disaster that might already be unfolding in our brains.

The New York Times

Also, whereas intellectual effort may be summarized in a "truth" there is no such thing in art.

SEP

The reason for my recounting this anecdote is to illustrate that translation is a natural act: before it became an intellectual effort it was a letting go, or a going "off-road".

The Guardian - Books

This intellectual effort – which was first undertaken more than a century ago by the thinkers cited here – would necessarily take us beyond liberalism and its faith in the curative power of economic growth.

The Guardian

To minimize the effects of fatigue, tests involving intellectual and physical effort were alternated.

BMC Geriatrics

I'm not saying that the NK approach is necessarily right; but it's a serious intellectual effort, undertaken by people who thought they were part of an open professional dialogue.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intellectual effort is" to emphasize the mental energy required for a task, particularly when contrasting it with physical effort or other factors.

Common error

Avoid using "intellectual effort is" too frequently in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "cognitive work involves" or "mental exertion is" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intellectual effort is" functions as a subject complement, describing what something requires or involves. It indicates the need for cognitive exertion, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples from sources like The New York Times.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

41%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "intellectual effort is" is a grammatically correct phrase used to highlight the cognitive demand of a task. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides examples from diverse sources, including News & Media and Science. While its frequency is uncommon, it effectively conveys the need for mental exertion. Alternative phrases such as "mental exertion is" can be used for variety. Remember to use the phrase when you want to emphasize the cognitive demand required for a task, especially when it is contrasted with the physical effort. Be mindful of overusing it by varying your vocabulary to create richer writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mental exertion is

Replaces "intellectual effort" with a more general term for mental activity.

cognitive work involves

Shifts the focus to the cognitive processes involved rather than the effort itself.

mental labor comprises

Uses a more formal and less common term for mental work.

brainwork entails

Informal synonym focusing on the brain's activity.

thinking requires

Highlights the necessity of thought.

deliberation demands

Focuses on careful and considered thought.

reasoning necessitates

Emphasizes the logical aspect of mental activity.

analysis calls for

Highlights the analytical aspect of mental work.

study necessitates

Suggests the need for dedicated learning.

contemplation involves

Highlights thoughtful observation and consideration.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "intellectual effort is" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "cognitive work involves" or "mental labor comprises".

What's the difference between "mental effort is" and "intellectual effort is"?

"Mental effort is" is a broader term encompassing all mental activity, while "intellectual effort is" specifically refers to effort related to reasoning, learning, and problem-solving.

Is "intellectual endeavor is" a good substitute for "intellectual effort is"?

"Intellectual endeavor is" is similar but implies a more significant or sustained undertaking than "intellectual effort is".

How to use "intellectual effort is" in a sentence?

You can say, "Solving this problem requires significant intellectual effort" or "The project's success depends on consistent intellectual effort."