intellectual feat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intellectual feat" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant achievement or accomplishment that requires mental effort or intelligence. Example: "Completing a PhD while working full-time is no small intellectual feat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Hailed in some circles, including this newspaper, as "a major intellectual feat," the proof shepherded computers toward a greater role in higher math.

The New York Times - Tech

Astor, to encourage her, replied that, "The way you run your life under your circumstances is an extraordinary achievement... a remarkable moral and intellectual feat.

The Guardian

The Origin, written in 13 months, represents an extraordinary intellectual feat: mature insight, deep knowledge and observational powers, the marshalling of facts, the elucidation of near-irrefutable arguments in the service of a profound insight into natural processes.

The Guardian - Books

Yet again we have to remind ourselves of what we are always in danger of forgetting as we read this compelling narrative, with its impeccable research, the tremendous intellectual feat of organisation that it represents.

The Guardian - Books

The hockey coach/commentator community (the revolving door strengthens the affinity, as Keith Gessen over at n+1 has observed) behaves as though merely matching lines (choosing a set of players to go up against an opposing set of players) is an intellectual feat worthy of Kasparov or Big Blue.

The New Yorker

The young teenager imagined herself inside Rusty's mind, she says, in an effort to see the world from his perspective and relive the intellectual feat he'd just performed.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Being hungry sharpened my concentration and made me feel capable of great intellectual feats; soon I was addicted to it.

The New York Times

Kober deserves much of the credit for "one of the most prodigious intellectual feats of modern times," Ms. Fox writes.

The New York Times - Books

The most impressive intellectual feats have been achieved by physicists and biologists, and these fields have established a distinctive model of credibility.

The New York Times

Philosophers have asked not whether animals think or speak but whether they suffer; but some within the animal rights movement have argued that animals are capable of many of the same intellectual feats as humans.

The New York Times

Last October, when he was inducted as an Officer of the Order of Canada in Ottawa, the citation hailed that as "one of the greatest intellectual feats of World War II".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intellectual feat" when you want to emphasize both the intelligence required and the accomplishment achieved. It suggests a successful overcoming of a mental challenge.

Common error

While grammatically correct, avoid using "intellectual feat" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler terms like "smart move" or "clever idea" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intellectual feat" functions as a noun phrase, where "intellectual" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "feat." It describes a specific type of achievement. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "intellectual feat" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an impressive achievement requiring considerable mental effort. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. While appropriate for formal contexts like news, academia, and professional communication, it may be too formal for casual conversation. Alternatives include "cognitive achievement" or "mental accomplishment". Though not very common, when used well, "intellectual feat" can effectively highlight the cognitive challenge and success involved in a particular accomplishment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant intellectual achievement

Adds "significant" to further emphasize the importance of the feat.

cognitive achievement

Replaces "intellectual" with "cognitive", focusing on the mental processes involved.

mental accomplishment

Substitutes "feat" with "accomplishment", highlighting the successful completion of a challenging task.

notable cognitive success

Uses "notable" to highlight recognition and replaces "feat" with "success".

remarkable insight

Shifts the focus to the depth of understanding achieved.

brilliant deduction

Emphasizes the logical reasoning and problem-solving aspects.

astounding discovery

Highlights the unveiling of something new and significant.

exceptional reasoning

Focuses on the high quality of thought processes involved.

extraordinary analysis

Emphasizes the detailed and thorough examination of information.

masterful insight

Emphasizes the skill and expertise involved in the mental accomplishment.

FAQs

How can I use "intellectual feat" in a sentence?

You can use "intellectual feat" to describe an impressive accomplishment that requires significant mental ability. For example, "Solving that complex equation was an intellectual feat."

What's a good synonym for "intellectual feat"?

Alternatives to "intellectual feat" include "cognitive achievement", "mental accomplishment", or "remarkable insight". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "intellectual feat" formal or informal?

"Intellectual feat" leans towards the formal side. It's suitable for academic writing, news articles, and professional communication but might sound out of place in casual conversation.

Is it correct to say "a feat of intellectual"?

No, the correct phrasing is "an intellectual feat." The adjective "intellectual" modifies the noun "feat." Using "a feat of intellectual" is grammatically incorrect.