intelligent enough to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intelligent enough to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's capability or ability to understand or perform a task based on their intelligence. Example: "She is intelligent enough to solve complex mathematical problems without assistance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

You are intelligent enough to behave accordingly.

The New York Times

He's intelligent enough to adapt to England".

The Guardian - Sport

Man, he explained, is intelligent enough to achieve biological immortality.

The New York Times - Magazine

We are deemed intelligent enough to think independently.

The New Yorker

They aren't intelligent enough to analyse things that way".

The Guardian - Opinion

But she is intelligent enough to know this can be done moderately".

The New Yorker

"He's intelligent enough to realize that there are expectations of him".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Most people are hopefully intelligent enough to think beyond knee-jerk reactions in this way.

The Guardian

"I thought the supporters were intelligent enough to react in the right way once everything was explained and outlined fully.

BBC

Scientists have long claimed that our thicker-skulled ancestors were not intelligent enough to make art.

BBC

Top officers, who reaped riches above $70 million in 2007, were intelligent enough to take no bonus in 2008.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intelligent enough to" when you want to emphasize that a person or system's capacity to understand and reason is sufficient for a particular task or outcome. For example, "The algorithm is intelligent enough to predict market trends."

Common error

Avoid using "intelligent enough to" in overly simplistic contexts where simpler phrases like "able to" or "smart enough" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intelligent enough to" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating the subject possesses a sufficient level of intelligence to perform a specific action. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is both grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

15%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "intelligent enough to" is a versatile phrase used to convey that someone or something possesses the necessary cognitive ability for a particular task. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and very common across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it's suitable for formal writing, simpler alternatives like "smart enough to" or "capable enough to" may be preferable in certain situations to avoid unnecessary verbosity. Remember to consider the specific context and the type of intelligence you want to emphasize when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smart enough to

Replaces "intelligent" with "smart", offering a slightly more informal tone.

clever enough to

Substitutes "intelligent" with "clever", implying a sense of ingenuity or resourcefulness.

bright enough to

Uses "bright" as a synonym for "intelligent", suggesting quick-wittedness.

wise enough to

Replaces "intelligent" with "wise", suggesting the presence of experience and good judgment.

astute enough to

Implies a keen awareness and understanding of situations.

capable enough to

Shifts the focus from intelligence to general capability or competence.

knowledgeable enough to

Focuses on having sufficient knowledge or information to accomplish something.

competent enough to

Emphasizes the idea of possessing the necessary skills and qualifications.

qualified enough to

Highlights the idea of meeting specific criteria or requirements.

able to

A simpler, more direct way of expressing the capacity to do something.

FAQs

How can I use "intelligent enough to" in a sentence?

Use "intelligent enough to" to describe a person or thing possessing the necessary cognitive abilities for a particular task. For example, "The software is intelligent enough to identify fraudulent transactions".

What phrases are similar to "intelligent enough to"?

Alternatives include "smart enough to", "clever enough to", or "capable enough to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "intelligent enough to" in formal writing?

Yes, "intelligent enough to" is suitable for formal writing as it's grammatically correct and widely used in reputable sources. However, consider the specific context and whether a more concise alternative might be preferable.

What's the difference between "intelligent enough to" and "smart enough to"?

While similar, "intelligent enough to" generally implies a higher degree of cognitive ability, whereas "smart enough to" can also refer to practical intelligence or common sense. The choice depends on the specific context and the type of intelligence you wish to emphasize.