intractable mind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intractable mind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a mind that is difficult to manage, control, or influence, often in the context of stubbornness or complexity of thought. Example: "His intractable mind made it challenging for him to accept new ideas or perspectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Yet two leaders who do not care about the price of their business suit, nor appear to succumb to alliances offering personal or financial gain, hang on to their own intractable mind-set to their country's cost.

Huffington Post

None of this is to overlook Pakistan's mind-boggling, intractable problems — many of which are getting worse.

The New Yorker

Along the way, Montross explores the practical, emotional, and philosophical challenges of working with patients whose illnesses of the mind are often intractable and deeply disturbing: "As psychiatrists, we see the mind while it careens and lists, and we are not always sure how — or whether — we can right it.

The New Yorker

A training in philosophy was all the more necessary since only a firm grounding in logic and ontology could prepare one in a meaningful way for participation in the subtle theological debates that dominated the best minds at the time, notably the intractable problem of the nature of Christ: Does Christ have two natures, one human, one divine, or one compound nature?

SEP

Our trouble is not the over-all absence of smartness but the intractable power of pure stupidity, and no machine, or mind, seems extended enough to cure that.

The New Yorker

The polio story is one of countless other seemingly intractable global problems that the Gates Foundation has set its collective mind and resources to solving – HIV, malaria, sanitation, education, agriculture.

The Guardian

The history of the terribly intractable nature of the behaviors and "civil war" in the mind we associate with the stigmatizing word "schizophrenia" is what led one of Ms. Longden's doctors to say that she would have been better off to have cancer, as the chance of a cure would be greater.

Huffington Post

"WORKS & PROCESS" Karole Armitage's ever-restless mind has moved on to theoretical physics, specifically the intractable contradiction between the theories of general relativity and quantum physics.

The New Yorker

It brought together the best minds in the field to solve a single, intractable problem: How do you build cheap, durable, clean-burning stoves for three billion people?

The New Yorker

But what  lingers in the mind's eye after is the raw grappling with the intractable present, in all its painful, brutal, live-wire intensity.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Ackermann had previously said that he did not want to become supervisory board chairman, but appeared to change his mind in recent weeks as the succession debate became more intractable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intractable mind" to describe a deeply ingrained and unyielding way of thinking, especially when discussing challenges in communication, problem-solving, or personal growth. It suggests a resistance to new ideas or perspectives.

Common error

Avoid using "intractable mind" when a simpler term like "stubborn" or "opinionated" suffices. The phrase is most effective when describing complex or deeply rooted cognitive patterns, not just everyday disagreements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intractable mind" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "intractable" modifies the noun "mind". Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable, describing a mind that is difficult to manage or influence.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "intractable mind" is a grammatically sound and contextually appropriate way to describe a mindset resistant to change or influence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's best suited for formal contexts like news articles or academic papers, where a precise and nuanced description is needed. While alternatives like "stubborn mentality" or "unyielding mindset" exist, "intractable mind" carries a slightly more sophisticated and analytical tone. It’s important to avoid overusing the phrase in simple scenarios where simpler language would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unyielding mindset

Emphasizes the firmness and resistance to change in one's thinking.

inflexible mental attitude

Highlights the rigidity and lack of adaptability in someone's perspective.

stubborn mentality

Focuses on the obstinate and unwavering nature of one's thought process.

obdurate intellect

Suggests a hardened and unyielding intellectual disposition.

rigid thought process

Underscores the fixed and unbending nature of how someone thinks.

unshakable conviction

Implies a firm belief system that is resistant to doubt or questioning.

fixed mindset

Refers to a belief that abilities and intelligence are static traits.

dogmatic thinking

Describes an approach to thought that is based on established principles and resistant to new ideas.

intransigent attitude

Highlights a refusal to compromise or change one's position.

resistant to influence

Focuses on the difficulty in persuading or affecting someone's thoughts.

FAQs

What does "intractable mind" mean?

An "intractable mind" refers to a way of thinking that is difficult to change or influence, often due to deeply ingrained beliefs or cognitive patterns. It suggests a resistance to new ideas or perspectives.

How can I use "intractable mind" in a sentence?

You might say, "His intractable mind made it difficult for him to consider alternative solutions," or "The negotiator struggled to find common ground with the opposing party's intractable mind."

What are some alternatives to "intractable mind"?

Alternatives include "unyielding mindset", "inflexible mental attitude", or "stubborn mentality" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "an intractable mind" or "a intractable mind"?

It is correct to say "an intractable mind". "Intractable" begins with a vowel sound, so it requires the indefinite article "an".