moderately intelligent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "moderately intelligent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who possesses a fair level of intelligence, neither exceptionally high nor low. Example: "While he may not be a genius, he is certainly moderately intelligent and capable of understanding complex concepts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

In his words: "I actually succeeded in failing first year arts, which any moderately intelligent amoeba could have passed".

The Guardian - Books

This moderately intelligent study of the complex collaboration between three well-heeled middle-class Spanish friends and rivals in 1920s and 30s revolutionary Spain - the gay poet and playwright García Lorca, the surrealist painter Salvador Dalí and the dedicated anarchistic filmmaker Luis Buñuel - is handsomely produced in authentic settings.

The Guardian - Film

Indeed, if he weren't such an important ringmaster in the mediatised circus that's been our national life in the past two or three decades, I would have begun drifting off at this point: far too many of his observations sound like something you might hear from any moderately intelligent Briton.

The Guardian - Books

"I think that as a moderately intelligent women who has a slight public platform (and also as someone who had just run for a train, in the hail, in a mercifully flat pair of shoes) I owe it to others to stand up to this nonsense and I'm delighted that the awesome Twitter community was with me".

The Guardian - Film

It's hard to pick the worst section, but it was probably the one in which Ms. Spain stumbled around in a skirt suit and slip-on wings as an unhinged teacher talking about butterflies, while Mr. Papoutsas, in a baseball cap, gave an impression of a child at which any moderately intelligent child would have taken offense.

The New York Times - Arts

By contrast, Norton and Brown (with tongue in cheek) agree with Bernard Shaw on the virtues of moderation, when Shaw said of the typical member of the middle class that he is moderately honest, moderately intelligent, and moderately faithful to his spouse.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"I'm a moderately engaging, reasonably intelligent 30-year-old, who's had an interesting life — like someone who was raised by wolves, or the person that cultivated an extremely large pumpkin".

Vice

As a young adult I was living in rural North Queensland, working at TAFE and having a fling with a moderately important, intelligent public servant.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sure, as the article intimated, it's possible to rise above the stupidity with which you were born and make yourself a moderately more intelligent person, but a genius?

Huffington Post

I was moderately healthy.

Huffington Post

Get intelligent intelligence.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a more formal tone, consider using "reasonably intelligent" instead.

Common error

Avoid using "moderately intelligent" when a stronger adjective like "brilliant" or "genius" is more appropriate. Ensure your descriptor accurately reflects the subject's intellectual capabilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moderately intelligent" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a level of intelligence that is neither exceptionally high nor particularly low. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and used to describe a person's cognitive abilities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "moderately intelligent" is a grammatically sound and acceptably used adjective phrase to describe someone possessing an adequate, but not exceptional, level of intelligence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability. While not overly common, its usage is primarily observed in news and media contexts. When aiming to nuance the meaning, consider alternatives such as "fairly bright" or "reasonably smart". Be mindful to avoid overstating someone's intelligence and consider using more fitting descriptive adjectives when applicable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fairly bright

Focuses on the aspect of being quick to understand, similar to intelligence.

somewhat clever

Highlights ingenuity and quick-wittedness.

reasonably smart

Emphasizes a practical and sensible level of intelligence.

averagely astute

Highlights the ability to accurately assess situations, aligning with practical intelligence.

quite perceptive

Stresses the capacity for insight and understanding, a component of intelligence.

passably discerning

Indicates an ability to make good judgments, relating to cognitive skill.

adequately knowledgeable

Shifts the focus to acquired knowledge rather than innate intelligence.

competently intellectual

Suggests a capable engagement with intellectual pursuits.

decidedly informed

Stresses that one is well-informed, a related but not identical characteristic.

sensibly brainy

Highlights a level of intelligence that is grounded in common sense.

FAQs

How can I use "moderately intelligent" in a sentence?

You can use "moderately intelligent" to describe a person's cognitive abilities, as in "He is a "moderately intelligent" student who understands complex concepts".

What are some alternatives to "moderately intelligent"?

Consider using alternatives such as "fairly bright", "reasonably smart", or "somewhat clever" to convey a similar meaning with slightly different nuances.

Is it better to say "moderately intelligent" or "average intelligence"?

"Moderately intelligent" suggests a level slightly above average, while "average intelligence" implies being squarely in the middle. The better choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "moderately intelligent" and "highly intelligent"?

"Moderately intelligent" describes someone with a good, but not exceptional, level of intelligence, while "highly intelligent" suggests someone with exceptional cognitive abilities and intellectual prowess.