use your brain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "use your brain" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used as a command or suggestion to encourage someone to think or make use of their intelligence. Example: "You can figure out the answer to this problem, just use your brain." In this sentence, "use your brain" is a command, instructing the person to use their intelligence to solve the problem.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

So use your brain".

The New York Times

Don't use your brain".

The New York Times - Travel

Get a proper job and use your brain".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"You think; you use your brain," he explained.

The New York Times

As a woman you could not join the army but you could use your brain".

The Guardian - Books

It's just like in a divorce, where you don't use your brain — you use your emotions.

The New York Times

To be president, you don't have to feel, you have to think, use your brain".

The New York Times

As you get older, you want to slow down, and use your brain to analyse your performance".

The Guardian

Nobody says or said "Use your mentality" in this way, to mean use your brain or use your intelligence.

The Guardian - Books

Use your brain to pursue something more interesting than discount airfares and cool watches.

The New York Times - Magazine

I'm talking about activities that make you think and respond and use your brain.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When encouraging someone to think, consider the context and choose a phrase that matches the level of formality. "Use your brain" is suitable for informal settings but "apply your mind" may be more appropriate in professional or academic situations.

Common error

Avoid using "use your brain" in highly formal or professional writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "engage your cognitive abilities" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "use your brain" functions primarily as an imperative, a direct command or strong suggestion to engage in cognitive activity. It urges the listener or reader to think, reason, or apply their intelligence to a situation. Ludwig AI provides several examples where this phrase is used to encourage problem-solving or critical thinking.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "use your brain" is a common and grammatically correct imperative used to encourage someone to think or apply their intelligence. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts, from news articles to informal guides. While generally informal to neutral in register, it's important to consider the context and audience when using this phrase, opting for more sophisticated alternatives in formal settings. Common authoritative sources include The New York Times, The Guardian, and Huffington Post, indicating its relevance in media and general communication. Remember to consider the best practices outlined to ensure effective and appropriate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apply your mind

Emphasizes the act of focusing one's mental effort.

think critically

Highlights the importance of evaluating information carefully.

think intelligently

Focuses on the quality of thought, implying a smart approach.

reason effectively

Focuses on the logical aspect of thinking.

exercise your intellect

Highlights the intellectual capacity being put to work.

utilize your mental capacity

A more formal way to express using one's brainpower.

engage your cognitive abilities

More formal, referring to the mental processes involved.

put your thinking cap on

An informal, idiomatic expression for starting to think seriously.

rack your brains

Implies a strenuous effort to remember or solve something.

think outside the box

Encourages creative and unconventional thinking.

FAQs

How can I use "use your brain" in a sentence?

You can use "use your brain" as a direct command, a suggestion, or an encouragement. For example: "You can solve this, just "use your brain"." or "Instead of reacting emotionally, "use your brain" and think logically."

What does it mean to "use your brain"?

To "use your brain" means to think actively, apply intelligence, and engage cognitive abilities to solve problems, make decisions, or understand situations. It implies focusing mental effort and reasoning logically.

What are some alternative phrases to "use your brain"?

Some alternatives to "use your brain" include "apply your mind", "think intelligently", or "engage your cognitive abilities", depending on the desired level of formality and context.

Is "use your brain" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "use your brain" is generally more suitable for informal settings. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "utilize your mental capacity" or "apply critical thinking" to maintain a professional tone.