intellectual work

USAGE SUMMARY

'intellectual work' is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "John has done a lot of intellectual work in his field of study."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But it's not an intellectual work.

The New York Times

Intellectual work was sexual for her; men rewarded it.

The New York Times - Books

And not some dry intellectual work of conceptual art, either.

The Guardian - Arts

I think it is possible to find some intellectual work".

The Guardian

"I wish to deny the effectiveness of intellectual work.

The New York Times - Books

Above all, the reader shouldn't feel they're doing intellectual work.

The Guardian - Books

To be sure, it often takes hard intellectual work to find that wisdom.

The New York Times - Magazine

So their intellectual work seems to bring them no benefit, no relief, in domestic life.

The Guardian - Books

Big opportunities for intellectual work in the professions actually existed, so could be fought for.

The Guardian - Opinion

He feels the American masses are capable of the transfer from manual to intellectual work.

The New Yorker

Both were powerful personalities addicted to creative intellectual work and emotional solitude.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing academic or professional achievements, use "intellectual work" to emphasize the cognitive effort and skills involved. For instance, "Her success is a result of years of dedicated intellectual work."

Common error

Avoid using "intellectual work" in overly casual conversations. Phrases like "thinking about it" or "solving the problem" might be more appropriate in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intellectual work" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. It refers to activities that demand significant cognitive effort and mental engagement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "intellectual work" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe tasks requiring significant cognitive effort. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for written English. It is most frequently found in news and media, science, and encyclopedic contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. Related phrases include "cognitive labor" and "mental exertion". When writing, it's best to reserve "intellectual work" for contexts where you want to emphasize the cognitive demands of a task, avoiding overuse in casual conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cognitive labor

Replaces "intellectual work" with a term that emphasizes the effort and exertion of mental processes.

mental exertion

Highlights the effort involved in intellectual tasks, focusing on the energy expended.

cognitive activity

A broader term encompassing various mental processes involved in intellectual tasks.

creative thinking

Emphasizes the innovative and imaginative aspects of intellectual endeavors.

scholarly activity

Focuses on academic and research-oriented intellectual pursuits.

academic research

Highlights the research aspect of intellectual work, particularly in academic settings.

thought processes

Focuses on the mental operations and reasoning involved in intellectual tasks.

mental processing

A general term referring to the brain's ability to handle information and solve problems.

brainwork

An informal way to refer to intellectual tasks, emphasizing the brain's role.

reasoning ability

Highlights the capacity to think logically and draw conclusions.

FAQs

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

You can use "intellectual work" to describe tasks that require significant mental effort, such as "Writing a dissertation requires a great deal of intellectual work".

What are some alternatives to "intellectual work"?

Alternatives include "cognitive labor", "mental exertion", or "creative thinking", depending on the specific context.

Is "intellectual work" formal or informal?

"Intellectual work" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase, suitable for academic, professional, and journalistic contexts. More informal alternatives might be used in casual conversation.

What kind of activities are considered "intellectual work"?

"Intellectual work" encompasses a wide range of activities, including research, writing, problem-solving, critical analysis, and creative endeavors that require significant cognitive effort.