mental faculties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'mental faculties' is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used to refer to the cognitive abilities of the mind, such as memory, judgment, and reasoning. For example, "The teacher was impressed by the student's keen mental faculties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They lost their mental faculties.

The New York Times

I have all my mental faculties.

The New York Times

Do they have all their mental faculties?

The New York Times

It calls for training of mental faculties towards happiness.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's a real all-round improvement in their mental faculties".

Independent

What you do with your body impinges on your mental faculties.

The Guardian

I had never considered how sharp your mental faculties needed to be to write well.

The Guardian

Generally speaking, I think it is a good thing for art to stretch our mental faculties.

The Guardian

These simple lifestyle interventions may just help to preserve our mental faculties as we age.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Still, he added, so many have declining mental faculties that complicated, delicate issues often arise.

The New York Times - Health

They correspond to different mental faculties, the right and left sides of the brain.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mental faculties" in contexts where you want to emphasize the range of cognitive abilities, including memory, reasoning, and judgment.

Common error

Avoid using "mental faculties" in casual conversation; opt for simpler terms like "thinking abilities" or "brainpower" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mental faculties" functions as a noun phrase that refers to the cognitive abilities of the mind. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to describe various intellectual functions, such as reasoning, memory, and judgment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mental faculties" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to the cognitive abilities of the mind, including memory, reasoning, and judgment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for describing or assessing intellectual capabilities, particularly in contexts related to health, aging, or intellectual performance. While the phrase is understood across different registers, it is more appropriate for formal or professional contexts, such as news reports, academic papers, and professional discussions. In casual conversation, simpler terms may be more suitable. When discussing the impact of aging or medical conditions, "mental faculties" is a precise term to use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cognitive abilities

Focuses specifically on the brain's ability to process information.

intellectual capacities

Highlights the potential and range of one's intellect.

cognitive functions

Refers to specific processes like memory and attention.

mental capacity

Emphasizes the overall ability to understand and reason.

intellectual powers

Implies a strong and active intellectual ability.

cognitive prowess

Highlights exceptional skill in cognitive tasks.

reasoning abilities

Focuses primarily on the ability to think logically.

thinking skills

A more general term for cognitive abilities.

brainpower

An informal term for intellectual ability.

intellectual resources

Highlights the availability of mental skills and knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "mental faculties" in a sentence?

You can use "mental faculties" to describe someone's cognitive abilities, such as "The accident impaired his "mental faculties"" or "She retained all her "mental faculties" well into old age."

What are some synonyms for "mental faculties"?

Alternatives include "cognitive abilities", "intellectual capacities", and "cognitive functions". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "mental faculties" in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "mental faculties" is more suited for formal or professional contexts. In casual conversation, simpler terms like "thinking skills" or "brainpower" might be more appropriate.

What does it mean when someone's "mental faculties" are declining?

It indicates a deterioration in cognitive abilities, such as memory, reasoning, and judgment. This decline can be due to aging, illness, or injury.