minimal intelligence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minimal intelligence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a low level of cognitive ability or understanding in a specific context. Example: "The test results indicated that the subject exhibited minimal intelligence in problem-solving tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

That mission creep first led JIEDDO to view expansively its minimal intelligence authorities related to foreign IED threats.

The Guardian

Bolger considers the 5500 number to be militarily dubious: "A very tiny special ops presence, minimal air power, minimal intelligence and logistics support," capable of keeping the American flag aloft and little else.

The Guardian

A White House that has been relentlessly marketed as a model of Fortune 500 efficiency and backslapping bonhomie turns out to have minimal intelligence about the whereabouts of its own party members, let alone the first children.

The New York Times

DASs make use of infrastructure like remote radio units (RRUs), with minimal intelligence of their own, to extend the base stations' antenna ports.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Remove that overlord without an after plan of minimal intelligence-as was done in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya-and there's hell to pay.

Huffington Post

They may be dumb and rush in when you don't want them to, or fail to shoot properly, or even drive off with your parked vehicle, but remain calm and remember who's side you they are on and that they are only powered by minimal artificial intelligence.

WikiHow

A minimal level of intelligence and sophistication is de rigueur.

The Guardian - Film

(Apparently, the post-op animal exhibited the same personality and a minimal reduction in intelligence).

The New Yorker

An important question for the practical applicability of the highly efficient traffic intersection control is about the minimal level of intelligence the vehicles need to have so as to move beyond the traffic light control.

Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies

The drones were cleared to fire on a senior militant leader if there was credible intelligence and minimal risk to civilians, American officials said.

The New York Times

The drones would be cleared to fire on a senior militant leader if there was credible intelligence and minimal risk to civilians, American officials said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "minimal intelligence", ensure the context is clear and avoids being unnecessarily offensive or demeaning. Focus on describing the specific limitations rather than making broad generalizations.

Common error

Avoid using "minimal intelligence" to describe entire groups or individuals without specific evidence. Instead, focus on specific skills or areas where improvement is needed, and provide constructive feedback.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minimal intelligence" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "minimal" modifies the noun "intelligence". This phrase is used to describe a very low level of cognitive capacity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "minimal intelligence" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a very low degree of cognitive ability. While Ludwig confirms its validity, it's crucial to consider the context to avoid unintended offense. The phrase appears most frequently in news and scientific contexts and is best replaced with less direct alternatives like "limited cognitive ability" or "scant understanding" in sensitive or formal situations. While not an extremely common phrase, it's important to be aware of its meaning and proper usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

low intellect

Emphasizes the general capacity for intellectual thought being at a lower level.

limited cognitive ability

Focuses on the restricted capacity in various cognitive functions.

rudimentary intellect

Highlights a basic, undeveloped state of intelligence.

scant understanding

Stresses the deficiency in comprehension of particular subjects or concepts.

basic reasoning skills

Indicates fundamental abilities in logic and deduction.

negligible awareness

Focuses on the almost nonexistent perception or knowledge of something.

slight mental capacity

Points to a reduced capability in mental processing and learning.

reduced cognitive function

Specifies a decline or impairment in cognitive functions.

basic intellectual level

Highlights the foundational stage of intellectual development.

small degree of comprehension

Emphasizes the limited extent of understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "minimal intelligence" in a sentence?

You can use "minimal intelligence" to describe a situation where there's a limited understanding or cognitive ability. For example, "The devices operate with "minimal artificial intelligence"." or "The project was executed with "minimal intelligence" applied to risk assessment."

What's a less direct way to say "minimal intelligence"?

Consider using phrases like "limited cognitive ability", "basic reasoning skills", or "scant understanding" to soften the impact while conveying a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "minimal intelligence" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "minimal intelligence" can sound harsh. In formal writing, it's often better to opt for more neutral terms such as "limited intellect" or describe specific cognitive deficits instead.

What is the difference between "minimal intelligence" and "low intelligence"?

"Minimal intelligence" implies a very basic or rudimentary level of cognitive ability, whereas "low intelligence" suggests a broader spectrum of below-average intellectual capacity. The term "minimal intelligence" might be used when something is operating at the lowest possible level to still function.