not very bright

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not very bright" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is not particularly intelligent or quick-witted, often in a light-hearted or informal context. Example: "When it comes to solving puzzles, he can be a bit slow; he's really not very bright."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"He's not very bright.

The Guardian - Opinion

(He's a loser; he's not very bright; he's Jimmy Carter).

The New York Times

She blithely describes herself as "canny, but not very bright".

Independent

Ken, though brilliant ��� everybody says so – is not very bright.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Otherwise he was not very bright and extremely vain.

The Guardian

You are never, ever safe in Guy Land either, but only because you're not very bright.

The New York Times - Arts

The TorchStars never get totally white — only a feeble blue — and they're not very bright.

The New York Times - Tech

"For example, they say that he's not very bright in a literary way.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Her three daughters, the sensible Elinor, the romantic Marianne and the not-very-bright Margaret, gasped.

The Guardian - Books

For republicans, the prospect of this foolish, not-very-bright man ascending the throne is a dream come true.

The Guardian - Opinion

For years I imagined Sobhraj enticing credulous, not-very-bright stoners into his web of death through sexual charm and superior cunning.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person, consider using "not very bright" to soften criticism. It's less harsh than saying someone is "stupid" or "unintelligent".

Common error

Avoid using "not very bright" in formal or professional settings where a more neutral or professional tone is required. Instead, opt for phrases like "lacking expertise" or "less experienced".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not very bright" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun (usually a person) to indicate a lack of intelligence or understanding. Ludwig examples show it used in varied contexts, from political commentary to describing fictional characters.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not very bright" is a common and generally acceptable phrase used to describe a lack of intelligence. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its usage across diverse sources, especially news and media. While grammatically correct, it is advisable to avoid using it in very formal contexts. The phrase functions as an adjective phrase, providing a mild criticism regarding someone's cognitive abilities. Remember to consider register and context when using this phrase to ensure it aligns with your intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not particularly intelligent

Replaces "bright" with a more formal term, "intelligent", and uses "particularly" instead of "very".

rather unintelligent

Replaces "bright" with "unintelligent" and uses "rather" as a modifier.

somewhat dim-witted

Uses the synonym "dim-witted" to describe a lack of intelligence, also employs "somewhat" as a modifier.

less than brilliant

Employs "brilliant" to indicate intelligence and uses "less than" to convey a deficiency.

not exceptionally clever

Uses "clever" instead of "bright" and includes "exceptionally" to temper the statement.

not overly smart

Substitutes "smart" for "bright" and uses "overly" to modify the degree of intelligence.

a bit slow on the uptake

This idiomatic expression suggests that someone takes longer than average to understand things.

not the sharpest tool in the shed

Uses a common idiom to imply a lack of intelligence or common sense.

intellectually challenged

A euphemistic way of saying someone is not very intelligent.

doesn't have all their marbles

This idiom suggests someone is scatterbrained or lacking in mental acuity.

FAQs

What does "not very bright" mean?

The phrase "not very bright" is a polite way of saying someone is not particularly intelligent or quick-witted. It's often used to soften criticism.

What can I say instead of "not very bright"?

You can use alternatives like "not particularly intelligent", "somewhat dim-witted", or "less than brilliant" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to describe someone as "not very bright" in a formal setting?

It's generally better to avoid saying someone is "not very bright" in a formal setting. Use more neutral language such as "lacking expertise" or "less experienced".

Which is correct, "not very bright" or "not too bright"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "not very bright" is more common when referring to intelligence, while "not too bright" can also refer to luminosity or literal brightness.