mentally speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mentally speaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to mental or emotional states or processes. For example: "Mentally speaking, it was a difficult decision, but I ultimately decided to take the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

We have a strong group of players and are united, mentally speaking".

The Guardian - Sport

HUMAN beings are a distractible bunch, and their propensity to be elsewhere, mentally speaking, is particularly dangerous when they are motoring.

The Economist

Salesmanship, in its extreme form, is a sleight of hand, a trick, whereby people are persuaded, to buy in cash or just mentally speaking, what is patently not true and unbelievable.

The New York Times - Arts

In the simplest sense it could be said that, mentally speaking, a nervous breakdown occurs when an individual finds that the number of things that they are able to cope with is lower than the number of things that they have to cope with.

The Guardian

And whereas imaginative thinking is associative and free-floating, rational thinking operates on the basis of linguistic, logical and mathematical principles (and is therefore more demanding and exhausting, mentally speaking).

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Aside from morning breath, bed head, crusty eyes and grumpiness, you're not firing on all cylinders, mentally speaking, right after getting out of bed.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

For clearest results, mentally speak the thought, as if talking to yourself.

The New Yorker

Cognitive problems include feeling mentally 'foggy,' speaking slowly, and having difficulty attending, concentrating, executing, judging, processing, remembering, tracking, or understanding.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

That triggered my anxiety: "What if I get the answer wrong?" "What if everyone laughs at me?" "What if... ?" I usually hemmed and hawed because even if I did know the answer, I preferred to double-check my response mentally before speaking.

HuffPost

The governor, whose brother is mentally ill, spoke of how Medicaid would get more people into treatment, decreasing the homeless and prison populations.

The New York Times

"All of the victims under 15 appeared severely traumatized by their experiences, were disturbed mentally and spoke in whispers, if at all," the State Department said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "mentally speaking", consider whether a more precise term like "cognitively" or "psychologically" might be more appropriate for your specific context.

Common error

Avoid using "mentally speaking" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated alternatives like "from a cognitive standpoint" or "psychologically" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mentally speaking" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause or sentence to indicate that the statement is being made from a mental or cognitive point of view. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mentally speaking" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a cognitive or psychological perspective. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English. While versatile, it's most commonly found in news, media, and general content and less frequent in formal or academic writing where more precise terms might be favored. Remember to consider the context and choose the most appropriate phrasing to maintain clarity and precision in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

psychologically speaking

Relates to the mental and emotional state of a person.

cognitively

Focuses on the process of thought and reasoning.

intellectually speaking

Emphasizes cognitive abilities and reasoning.

from a mental perspective

Highlights a viewpoint based on cognitive processes.

emotionally speaking

Focuses on feelings and affective responses.

in one's mind

Describes thoughts or considerations within someone's consciousness.

ideologically speaking

Focus shifts to beliefs and principles instead of mental state.

ethically speaking

Relates to moral principles that govern a person's behavior.

morally speaking

Considers ethical and behavioral principles.

spiritually speaking

Considers matters of the spirit or soul.

FAQs

How can I use "mentally speaking" in a sentence?

You can use "mentally speaking" to introduce a perspective related to cognitive or emotional states. For example, "Mentally speaking, the challenge seemed insurmountable at first."

What are some alternatives to "mentally speaking"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "psychologically speaking", "cognitively", or "from a mental perspective".

Is "mentally speaking" formal or informal?

"Mentally speaking" is generally considered neutral to informal. In more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "from a cognitive standpoint".

What's the difference between "mentally speaking" and "emotionally speaking"?

"Mentally speaking" refers to cognitive processes and thoughts, while "emotionally speaking" relates to feelings and affective responses. They both describe an internal state but focus on different aspects.