of no intelligence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of no intelligence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that lacks intelligence or is perceived as foolish. Example: "His argument was so poorly constructed that it seemed to be of no intelligence at all."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

These young men, who were mostly of no intelligence value, were often taken to Abu Ghraib, where their anger ripened.

The New Yorker

But Senator Thomas A. Daschle, the majority leader, said he knew of no intelligence confirming Mr. Lott's assertion.

The New York Times

"I am aware of no intelligence, nothing that shows there will be an attack before the U.S. presidential election," said a senior European-based counterterrorism official.

The New York Times

Senior U.S. intelligence officers in Iraq later estimated that about 85percentt of the tens of thousands rounded up were of no intelligence value.

The Washington Post

Bluf Stands for "bottom line up front" – a request from NSA analysts to collect less data from the Muscular program (see below) because it is of no intelligence value.

The Guardian

"I know of no intelligence during the roughly six-plus months leading up to Sept. 11 that indicated terrorists intended to hijack commercial airlines and fly them into the Pentagon or the World Trade Center," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"No intelligence organization of Pakistan is capable of indoctrinating a man to blow himself up," he said.

The New York Times

Eliza, of course, had no intelligence, artificial or otherwise.

The Guardian - Opinion

Most are no longer of any intelligence value, American officials admit.

The Economist

Had they no intelligence of what was going on?

The Guardian - Opinion

There continues to be no intelligence of a specific threat to Scotland.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "of no intelligence" when you want to subtly and professionally convey that something or someone lacks intellectual value, especially in formal or news-related contexts. Reserve it for situations where a direct negative description might be too harsh.

Common error

Avoid using "of no intelligence" in casual conversation. It can sound stilted and unnatural. Opt for simpler alternatives like "not very smart" or "foolish" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of no intelligence" functions as a qualifying prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a lack of intellectual capacity or value. The provided examples confirm its use in describing individuals, data, or actions considered intellectually deficient. Ludwig confirms the proper use of it.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "of no intelligence" is a prepositional phrase used to describe something or someone that lacks intellectual value. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English, although it's more suited to formal contexts. Predominantly found in "News & Media", this phrase conveys a negative assessment of intellectual merit. While "of no intelligence" is frequently employed and contextually accurate, consider alternatives like "lacking intelligence" or "unintelligent" for more informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking intelligence

Replaces the prepositional phrase with a participial phrase for conciseness.

devoid of intellect

Substitutes "intelligence" with "intellect" to slightly change the nuance.

unintelligent

Uses a single adjective instead of a prepositional phrase.

foolish

Offers a more direct and common adjective to describe a lack of good sense.

witless

Uses a synonym for lacking wit or understanding.

brainless

Emphasizes the absence of intellect in a more informal way.

unwise

Highlights a lack of sound judgment or prudence.

not very bright

Uses a more colloquial expression to indicate limited intelligence.

mentally deficient

A clinical term indicating a significant lack of intellectual capacity; more formal and less common.

simple-minded

Implies a lack of complexity in thought or understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "of no intelligence" in a sentence?

You can use "of no intelligence" to describe something lacking intellectual merit. For instance, "The data presented was "of no intelligence" in solving the problem."

What are some alternatives to "of no intelligence"?

Alternatives include "lacking intelligence", "unintelligent", or "foolish depending" on the context.

Is "of no intelligence" too formal for everyday conversation?

Yes, "of no intelligence" is generally too formal for casual conversation. Simpler phrases like "not very smart" or "silly" are more appropriate.

What's the difference between "of no intelligence" and "lacking intelligence"?

"Of no intelligence" is a prepositional phrase that sounds slightly more formal, while "lacking intelligence"/s/lacking+intelligence is a participial phrase. Both convey a similar meaning, but the latter might be preferred in some contexts for brevity.