more brilliant than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more brilliant than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the brilliance of one thing or person to another, often in a positive context. Example: "Her ideas are more brilliant than any I've heard before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

More brilliant than stupid, because they have done it again.

The New York Times

No contemporary American playwright is more brilliant than LaBute at dramatizing mankind's passion for ignorance.

The New Yorker

There are people in the company who are far more brilliant than I am.

The New Yorker

Here's another: what makes Carter more brilliant than Roosevelt — or, for that matter, Reagan?

The New York Times

Mei, J. et al. Aggregation‐induced emission: the whole is more brilliant than the parts.

Nature

He made Chopin's "Polonaise Brillante" more brilliant than It can possibly be.

The New York Times

"I might add, more brilliant than that of virtually everyone who'd be voting on his confirmation".

The New York Times

I think they were more brilliant than they realised and it would have happened without drugs".

The Guardian - Books

More brilliant than world-class entities like the Cleveland Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic?

The New York Times - Arts

But he should be a little more brilliant than he actually ends up being.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The dance complexities of "CRWDSPCR" look more brilliant now than when this work was young.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more brilliant than" to emphasize a distinct and noticeable difference in intelligence, creativity, or luminosity. Ensure the comparison is clear and the context supports the heightened language.

Common error

Avoid using "more brilliant than" in contexts where the difference isn't substantial or clear. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact; opt for simpler comparatives when appropriate to maintain clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more brilliant than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, used to describe a noun by comparing its level of brilliance to another. Ludwig confirms this is a grammatically correct construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more brilliant than" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative phrase that serves to highlight the superior intelligence, talent, or luminosity of one subject over another. Ludwig's analysis, along with the provided examples, indicates its prevalence across various contexts, including news, academia, and general discourse. While versatile, careful attention should be paid to the clarity and significance of the comparison to ensure the phrase's impact is not diluted. Remember that alternatives such as "more ingenious than" and "more astute than" can offer nuanced ways to express superiority depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more intelligent than

A direct synonym, focusing on intellectual capacity.

more clever than

Emphasizes quick-wittedness and ingenuity.

more ingenious than

Emphasizes cleverness and inventiveness as opposed to general brilliance.

more gifted than

Focuses on innate talent or ability, a specific aspect of brilliance.

more talented than

Similar to "more gifted than", but emphasizes developed skill over inherent aptitude.

more astute than

Highlights sharpness of mind and perception rather than overall brilliance.

more exceptional than

Indicates a deviation from the norm, suggesting a higher quality beyond simple brilliance.

surpasses in brilliance

A more formal way of saying something is more brilliant.

more luminous than

Specifically refers to brightness or radiance, not intellectual brilliance.

outshines

Uses a verb to describe surpassing something in brilliance.

FAQs

How can I use "more brilliant than" in a sentence?

The phrase "more brilliant than" is used to compare two subjects, indicating that one possesses a higher degree of intelligence, talent, or luminosity than the other. For example, "Her solution was "more brilliant than" anyone else's in the team".

What are some alternatives to saying "more brilliant than"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "more ingenious than", "more astute than", or "outshines". These options offer nuanced ways to describe superiority.

Is it grammatically correct to say "more brilliant than"?

Yes, "more brilliant than" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard comparative adjective structure in English, where "more" is used to form the comparative degree of adjectives with two or more syllables.

What's the difference between "more brilliant than" and "brighter than"?

"More brilliant than" typically refers to intellectual or creative superiority, while "brighter than" can refer to both intellectual capacity and literal brightness. Although these can often be interchanged, there might be subtle differences in the implication and usage depending on the context.