intellectually sound

USAGE SUMMARY

'intellectually sound' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is intellectually competent and has a good understanding of the subject matter. For example, "The professor demonstrated an intellectually sound grasp of the material."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It's undoubtedly distinctive – and it sounds more distinctive with each passing year – but it's strictly an intellectual triumph and, after a pair of albums that were musically and intellectually sound, it's a bit of a letdown, no matter how successful it was".

Wikipedia

Fight poverty by all means, but let's also fight to set intellectually sound educational goals.

The New York Times

"And we should do so in a very methodical, thoughtful, and intellectually sound way".

The New York Times

We must develop our own capacity to be able to engage in and take active steps towards an intellectually sound British Muslim community.

The Guardian - Opinion

But it's also intellectually sound, going deeper into Mr. Charles's basic interest, which is the affinities between Caribbean music and music from the American South, New Orleans jazz in particular.

The New York Times - Arts

These insidious suggestions that older women are somehow less capable, important or intellectually sound have been repeatedly described in accounts submitted to the Everyday Sexism Project: "I would like to highlight the everyday sexism meted out to older/old women … 'Old woman' is still a routine insult used against both sexes and all ages.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The African-led nature of CARTA and its focus on sustainable, measurable changes in research capacity and output are in tandem with the current emphasis on homegrown and intellectually-sound solutions to the problem of sustainable capacity for research for health and development in Africa.

Global Health Action

Americans are weary enough of presidential candidates who blurt out one of those intellectually dishonest sound bites known as "the pander" when they are caught in the last moments of a do-or-die race.

The New York Times

Through ritualized experience, these intellectually incomprehensible sounds, in the self-deconstruction of any assumed or projected meaningfulness, paradoxically evoke the emptiness they mean and the emptiness of their meaning, the emptiness of all in their mutual non-obstruction and interdependence.

SEP

Intellectually, it sounded good enough.

Huffington Post

If those activities don't sound intellectually rigorous enough, there are also presentations with the physicist and string theorist Edward Witten; NASA's chief scientist, Ellen Stofan; the paleoanthropologist Lee Berger; the Nobel-winning theoretical physicist Steven Weinberg; and many other leading thinkers.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "intellectually sound", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific intellectual criteria are being met, enhancing clarity and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "intellectually sound" as a generic endorsement. Instead, specify the particular strengths or qualities that make the idea or argument intellectually compelling.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intellectually sound" functions as an adjective phrase, typically used to describe a noun (e.g., argument, theory, approach) that possesses a high degree of intellectual rigor, validity, or credibility. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts to indicate the quality of being well-reasoned and logically coherent.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "intellectually sound" is an adjective phrase used to describe something that is well-reasoned, logically valid, and credible. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While its frequency is uncommon, the phrase appears predominantly in news and media, science, and wiki sources. To use it effectively, ensure the context clarifies the specific intellectual qualities being highlighted, and avoid using it as a vague endorsement. Consider alternatives like "logically valid" or "well-reasoned" to add nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

logically valid

Emphasizes adherence to logical principles and reasoning.

well-reasoned

Highlights the quality of the reasoning process behind an idea or argument.

cogent

Implies clarity and persuasiveness in reasoning.

rationally justified

Focuses on the rational basis and support for a belief or action.

intellectually robust

Highlights strength and resilience when challenged intellectually.

sound reasoning

Focuses on the reasoning process rather than the end state.

valid argument

Emphasizes the correctness and defensibility of the argument.

intellectually credible

Highlights the believability and trustworthiness from an intellectual standpoint.

theoretically robust

Highlights the robustness of an approach or idea in theory.

intellectually defensible

Highlights the capacity of an approach or idea to be defended intellectually.

FAQs

How can I use "intellectually sound" in a sentence?

You can use "intellectually sound" to describe arguments, theories, or approaches that are well-reasoned and logically valid. For example: "The research paper presented an intellectually sound analysis of the data."

What is a good substitute for "intellectually sound"?

Alternatives to "intellectually sound" include "logically valid", "well-reasoned", or "cogent", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "intellectually sound" formal or informal?

"Intellectually sound" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, but it's most commonly found in academic, professional, and journalistic writing.

What does it mean for an argument to be "intellectually sound"?

An "intellectually sound" argument means that it is based on solid reasoning, evidence, and logic, making it credible and persuasive.