mental feat

USAGE SUMMARY

"mental feat" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an impressive accomplishment achieved through mental effort, such as memorizing a large amount of information. For example: "The student's photographic memory was truly a remarkable mental feat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Success in running is not just a mental feat, of course, it's physical, too.

The New York Times - Sports

On the page, her greatest mental feat is to adore her own arm.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It's reading, and it's so rote for many adults that we've forgotten how miraculous a mental feat it actually is.

The New Yorker

Winning championships in golf is often more of a mental feat than a physical accomplishment, and the PGA Championship that year would prove no different.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Discovery show, which begins on Wednesday night, is "The Big Brain Theory: Pure Genius," a title that manages to be both dumb and pretentious, an impressive mental feat right out of the gate.

The New York Times - Arts

But just bear with me here — we all agree that figuring out how to call one country from another country is a mental feat that no reasonable adult should be expected to accomplish.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Despite these limitations, a small subset of autistics, known as savants, can also perform superspecialized mental feats.

The New York Times - Magazine

We don't just perform these mental feats for pleasure either – think back to every time you scraped a good grade at school when it really mattered.

The Guardian

That means visual hunters such the Great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) might be capable of even greater mental feats.

BBC

Now, scientists who have reexamined his brain have come up with a theory of why Einstein, whose brain was preserved after he died in 1955, was capable of such prodigious mental feats as conceiving the theory of relativity and other laws of physics.

Science Magazine

Pennington believes throwing the ball is more a mental than physical feat.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mental feat" to describe an achievement that primarily relies on cognitive abilities such as problem-solving, memory, or strategic thinking. For instance, "Solving the complex mathematical equation was a real "mental feat"".

Common error

Avoid using "mental feat" to describe accomplishments that are primarily physical, even if they require some mental focus. Opt for terms like "physical endurance" or "athletic achievement" instead to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mental feat" functions as a noun phrase, where "mental" is an adjective modifying the noun "feat". Ludwig AI confirms this usage, indicating it describes an accomplishment achieved through cognitive ability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mental feat" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe an impressive accomplishment achieved through cognitive abilities. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and suggests using it to highlight achievements requiring significant mental effort. While its usage spans across various contexts, it is most frequently found in news and media. When writing, remember to reserve this phrase for accomplishments primarily driven by cognitive skills, and explore alternatives like "intellectual achievement" or "cognitive accomplishment" to add nuance to your writing. Be sure to check Ludwig’s examples for best usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mental triumph

More concise and direct, highlighting the overall success achieved through mental effort.

intellectual achievement

Focuses specifically on achievements related to intellectual capabilities rather than general mental abilities.

cognitive accomplishment

Emphasizes the cognitive aspect of the achievement, referring to mental processes involved in knowing, learning, and understanding.

remarkable mental performance

Highlights the performance aspect, emphasizing the observable demonstration of mental ability.

brainpower triumph

A more metaphorical and emphatic way to express a success achieved through mental strength and intelligence.

thought process victory

Highlights the successful application of thought processes in overcoming a challenge or achieving a goal.

intellectual skill

Focuses more on the inherent skill rather than a specific accomplishment, suggesting a general aptitude.

cognitive skill

Emphasis on the cognitive capabilities but focuses on mental skills rather than overall accomplishments.

astounding mental capacity

Focuses on the potential or ability rather than a specific accomplishment, suggesting a high level of mental capability.

exceptional mental acuity

Emphasizes the sharpness and quickness of mental processes, referring to keenness of mind.

FAQs

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

Use "mental feat" to describe an impressive accomplishment that primarily relies on cognitive abilities. For example: "Memorizing the entire script in one night was an incredible "mental feat"".

What are some alternatives to "mental feat"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "intellectual achievement", "cognitive accomplishment", or "mental triumph".

Is it correct to say "physical feat" instead of "mental feat" if the accomplishment involves both mental and physical effort?

While some accomplishments involve both mental and physical effort, "physical feat" is more appropriate when the primary emphasis is on the physical aspect. Use "mental feat" when cognitive abilities are the primary driver.

What distinguishes a "mental feat" from a "routine task"?

A "mental feat" implies a significant level of difficulty, complexity, or exceptional cognitive skill, whereas a routine task is typically straightforward and requires minimal mental effort.