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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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intelligent

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "intelligent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that is capable of understanding, learning, and applying knowledge. Example: My daughter is an incredibly intelligent young woman who excels in all her classes.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As an intelligent 39-year-old woman I know this is completely ridiculous.

This is not to judge disadvantaged students by a different standard; but by the same standard, just through intelligent use of data to drive lower offers rather than merely "flagging" a candidate for closer assessment.

News & Media

The Guardian

For the first time, there is lively and intelligent debate around this issue, which is at the core of the Middle East's problems.

Inglourious Basterds ultimately proved less than controversial because Tarantino was intelligent enough to eschew shots of Holocaust victims in favour of scenes featuring tough Jewish blokes making mincemeat of a cavalcade of cartoonish Nazi scumbags.

With tuition fees of £9,000 and a possible total university debt of £60,000 for medical students, it's obvious to me that if you're an intelligent, prospective student and want to make money, medicine isn't the way forward.

News & Media

The Guardian

Like most rock kids of his generation, from an early age he had a working knowledge of electronic music through listening to industrial bands such as Nine Inch Nails, and an obsession with "IDM" ("intelligent dance music"), in particular "anything on Warp Records".

He is a bright, intelligent, gifted player, and it is a pleasure to play with him.

It is The Theory of Everything and The Imitation Game which are the two films expected to predominate at this year's Baftas, the weirdly fortuitous pairing of two distinguished, intelligent, slightly theatrical performances and two brilliant British scientists cursed with the traditional qualities glibly associated with genius: shyness, loneliness, and disability of various sorts.

I would describe it as transformational because it provided an insight into the reality of what it means to be a young, ambitious, highly intelligent, sometimes single black woman in contemporary America.

"Mark Durkan [the SDLP's leader] is an intelligent, self-assured leader who is visibly enjoying the campaign".

News & Media

The Guardian

Barely educated, though reputedly highly intelligent, Chapo rose to become a second-tier drug lord in the late 1980s, a time when Sinaloa-based Mexican traffickers were taking advantage of the new opportunities opened by the need of Colombian cartels to move their drugs through Mexico following US success at shutting down Caribbean routes.

News & Media

The Guardian
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intelligent" to describe not only people but also systems, designs, or solutions that exhibit problem-solving capabilities or efficient functionality.

Common error

While "intelligent" is a versatile adjective, avoid overusing it in very casual conversation. Alternatives like "smart" or "clever" may sound more natural in informal settings.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

94%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The word "intelligent" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a high level of cognitive ability, understanding, or skill. As Ludwig AI indicates, it signifies the capacity for learning and applying knowledge. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use across diverse subjects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "intelligent" is a versatile adjective used to describe a high level of cognitive ability or advanced functionality. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness across various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media, as well as formal and business settings. While synonymous with terms like "smart" or "clever", "intelligent" carries a more formal tone. When using "intelligent", remember to consider the context and choose synonyms accordingly to maintain a natural and engaging writing style. Its consistent usage in authoritative sources underscores its reliability and validity in the English language. The adjective "intelligent" is not only applicable to people, it can be used to describe systems, designs, or solutions that exhibit problem-solving capabilities or efficient functionality. Overusing "intelligent" in informal contexts can also be an error to watch out for.

FAQs

How can I use "intelligent" in a sentence?

You can use "intelligent" to describe a person, design, or system that demonstrates a high level of cognitive ability or problem-solving skills. For instance, "She is an intelligent student" or "The building has an "intelligent system" for energy conservation".

What are some synonyms for "intelligent"?

Alternatives include "smart", "clever", "bright", "astute", and "sharp". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "intelligent" or "smart"?

Both words convey a similar meaning, but "intelligent" is generally considered more formal and emphasizes cognitive ability, while "smart" is more informal and can also imply practicality and resourcefulness. Choose the word that best fits the context and tone of your writing.

Can "intelligent" be used to describe non-living things?

Yes, "intelligent" can be used to describe non-living things like systems, machines, or designs that exhibit advanced problem-solving capabilities or automated decision-making. For example, an "intelligent algorithm" or an "intelligent building".

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: