mental talent

USAGE SUMMARY

"mental talent" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to refer to someone's ability to think quickly, solve problems, and use their intellect in a productive manner. For example, "She showed great mental talent when she was able to solve the math problem in under a minute."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"It's not so much about having the physical talent to run quickly, it's having that mental talent to compete well and I was amazed at how he found a metre over all the rest of the season to move on.

The Guardian - Sport

A subtle mental talent, focus is at the heart of everything we do.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Their raw mental talents may then be nurtured better in some homes than others.

The Economist

This doesn't mean that the rise of the Internet won't lead to loss of important mental talents; every technology comes with trade-offs.

The New York Times - Books

While this area has been associated with a wide variety of mental talents, like conceptual knowledge and verb conjugation, it seems to be especially important for maintaining attention.

The New York Times - Magazine

So psychologist Julia Simner of the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom tested for unusual mnemonic skills or other mental talents in 10 spatial-sequence synesthetes.

Science Magazine

The result is a layered study of mental illness, talent and the museum-industrial complex.

The Guardian - Film

It is evident, however, that the level of professional expertise shown by the shaman depends on the personal abilities of the shaman himself, including his mental capacities, dramatic talent, and power to make his will effective.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Here is their guide to winning the Ashes: Boycott: "The Ashes personifies cricket - it's about character, mental toughness and talent.

BBC

He fit nicely into the triangle offense, a scheme that emphasizes mental and physical talents.

The New York Times - Sports

If our acquired mental and moral talents were inheritable no less than our physical ones, then, so Spencer believed, succeeding generations would become increasingly motivated to act by utilitarian reasons as well as increasingly capable of making the requisite utilitarian calculations.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's potential for success, use "mental talent" to emphasize their cognitive abilities, problem-solving skills, and strategic thinking rather than just innate skill.

Common error

Avoid using "mental talent" when you mean "mental strength". "Mental talent" refers to cognitive abilities, while "mental strength" indicates resilience, focus, and emotional control.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mental talent" functions as a noun phrase, where "mental" serves as an adjective modifying the noun "talent". It describes a specific kind of ability related to cognitive function. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mental talent" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes someone's cognitive abilities and aptitude for intellectual tasks. While it is not a highly frequent phrase, Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples from various reputable sources, primarily in news and media contexts. It is important to differentiate "mental talent" from similar terms like "mental strength", which relates more to resilience and emotional control. Overall, it is a useful and precise term for describing someone's cognitive capabilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intellectual ability

Focuses more on cognitive capabilities rather than innate skill.

cognitive skill

Highlights the learned aspect of mental aptitude.

mental capacity

Emphasizes the potential or ability to develop mental skills.

intellectual prowess

Suggests exceptional skill and ability in intellectual pursuits.

cognitive gift

Implies a natural and inherent mental ability.

mental acuity

Highlights the sharpness and quickness of mental processes.

sharp intellect

Focuses on the keenness and intelligence of the mind.

mental aptitude

Highlights a natural inclination or suitability for intellectual tasks.

brainpower

A more informal term for mental capacity or intelligence.

genius intellect

Emphasizes an extraordinary level of intelligence and creativity.

FAQs

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

You can use "mental talent" to describe someone's aptitude for cognitive tasks, for example, "Her quick problem-solving skills demonstrated her exceptional mental talent".

What are some alternatives to "mental talent"?

Alternatives include "intellectual ability", "cognitive skill", or "mental capacity", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "mental talent" the same as "intelligence"?

"Mental talent" emphasizes a specific skill or aptitude, while "intelligence" is a broader term encompassing various cognitive abilities. While related, they aren't perfectly interchangeable.

How does "mental talent" differ from "mental strength"?

"Mental talent" refers to cognitive abilities, whereas "mental strength" relates to resilience, focus, and emotional control. For example, one might have "mental talent" for problem-solving but lack the "mental strength" to handle pressure.