short of mind

USAGE SUMMARY

"short of mind" is not a correct and usable phrase in written English.
In written English, you would use the phrase "lacking in mental capacity" or "lacking mental acuity" instead. For example: "He was short of mind, and unable to comprehend the complex math problem."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The opportunity to build life-changing products by writing software is nothing short of mind blowing.

TechCrunch

Being in such a sacred ancient place that is architecturally sound with the earth, its environment, and the cosmos is nothing short of mind altering.

Huffington Post

And since the mind is the most erogenous organ of all, it's safe to say our sex is nothing short of mind blowing.

Huffington Post

The overwhelming sensation of life growing steadily inside of a person, the periodic discomfort late at night, the labour pangs, the art of birthing, the craft of raising a child is nothing short of mind blowing.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"We have seen an alarming lack of activity and movement in that body," Ms. Rice said of the Legislature, that is "nothing short of mind-boggling".

The New York Times

The D80's battery life is nothing short of mind-boggling — 2,700 shots per charge — and it now offers a percentage-remaining readout.

The New York Times - Tech

It's nothing short of mind-boggling:Many people would argue that, in this case, the inefficiency was primarily in the credit markets, not the stock market that there was a credit bubble that inflated and ultimately burst.

The Economist

The result is a whole-bird meal that takes a bit more time and effort than a simple roast chicken but offers an outcome that is a little short of mind-blowing, with a variety of tastes and textures the classic cannot touch.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is nothing short of mind-blowing to read an article that both intentionally, and maybe to a certain degree unintentionally, encourages the act of violence against these innocent creatures by inexperienced readers who suddenly believe that they can butcher their own meat because they read a "how to".

The New York Times

While no one seriously argues that influences and factors outside the classroom have no bearing on student performance, it's nothing short of mind-boggling that teachers, those on the front-line of the educational system, are practically tripping over themselves in a race to toss accountability into the trash bin.

The New York Times

For starters, the notion that the entire visible universe could even fit into something so small as a beach ball is little short of mind-blowing: there are hundreds of billions of galaxies in the visible universe, our Milky Way being just one of them, and each galaxy typically contains several hundred billion stars.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "short of mind" in formal writing. It is not a standard or widely accepted idiom. Instead, opt for more common and grammatically sound alternatives such as "lacking intelligence" or "mentally deficient."

Common error

Be careful not to use "short of mind" interchangeably with phrases like "absent-minded" or "forgetful". "Short of mind" implies a more fundamental lack of intellectual capacity, while the others refer to temporary lapses in memory or attention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "short of mind" functions as a descriptive phrase, attempting to characterize someone's intellectual capacity. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this is not a standard or grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "short of mind" aims to describe a lack of intelligence, it is not considered standard English. Ludwig AI identifies it as an incorrect phrase and suggests alternatives like "lacking intelligence" or "mentally deficient". Although present in some news and media sources, its infrequent usage suggests avoiding it in formal writing. The intended meaning is clear, but its grammatical standing is questionable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unintelligent

Directly states a lack of intelligence.

not very bright

A colloquial and gentle way to indicate someone is not intelligent.

slow-witted

Suggests a slowness in understanding or processing information.

lacking intelligence

Focuses on a general absence of intellectual capacity.

intellectually limited

A more formal way of saying someone has limitations in their intellectual abilities.

dim-witted

Similar to slow-witted but carries a stronger negative connotation.

mentally deficient

A more clinical and potentially offensive term for intellectual disability.

dense

Informal term referring to not easily understanding something.

having limited cognitive abilities

A formal and technical way to describe someone with cognitive limitations.

not the sharpest tool in the shed

An idiomatic expression implying a lack of intelligence.

FAQs

What does "short of mind" mean?

While not a standard phrase, "short of mind" generally suggests a lack of intelligence or mental capacity. It is advisable to use more common alternatives in formal writing.

What are some alternatives to "short of mind"?

You can use alternatives like "lacking intelligence", "mentally deficient", or "unintelligent" depending on the desired level of formality and context.

Is "short of mind" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, "short of mind" is not a correct and usable phrase in written English. It's better to choose a more standard expression.

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

You might say, "The character was portrayed as lacking intelligence, making his decisions unpredictable".