wit of man

USAGE SUMMARY

'wit of man' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to a person's intelligence and cleverness. For example, you can say, "The wit of man knows no bounds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Yes, Boris, it's beyond the wit of man.

The New York Times

This cannot be beyond the wit of man or woman.

The Guardian - Opinion

It cannot be beyond the wit of man.

The Guardian

However, it is not one beyond the wit of man to wriggle around.

The Economist

Who is to say it is not beyond the wit of man that those might be already thinking about that".

The Guardian

It passed the wit of man to make him understand that one does not do these things to defeated peoples.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

The Giants, having now won two of three from the 49ers in the last 11 months, remain far more proficient at timely land grabs, building momentum behind the arm and wits of Manning.

The New York Times - Sports

She was written as having the wit of a man, but critics hated her.

The Guardian

Larijani was in typical good form, with the quick wit of a man who had studied Kant.

The Guardian

Surely it's not beyond the wit of (wo)man to distinguish between legitimate debate and the grotesque rubbish peddled by Cummins.

The Guardian

It's not that the stories are annoying as stories — in fact, it's almost the opposite: They're so appealing as anecdotes, as glimpses of the wit of the men involved, that their charm has given them unmerited credibility as advice about how to cocktail.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wit of man" to emphasize the remarkable ingenuity or intelligence that humans possess, especially when discussing problem-solving or innovation.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "wit of man" can sound overly formal or archaic in casual conversation. Opt for simpler terms like "human intelligence" or "people's cleverness" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wit of man" functions as a noun phrase that describes the intelligence and ingenuity inherent in humankind. Ludwig shows it often appears in contexts where human problem-solving or innovation is being discussed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

16%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wit of man" refers to human intelligence and ingenuity. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and most commonly used in news and media, academia, and science. While versatile, it's best suited for formal contexts and can be replaced with terms like "human intelligence" or "human ingenuity" in informal settings. When using the phrase, remember that it emphasizes the remarkable capacity of human intelligence and creativity in problem-solving and innovation. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is a valid and usable expression in written English, typically employed to highlight our intellectual abilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

human intelligence

Refers directly to the intellectual capacity of humans.

human ingenuity

Emphasizes the inventiveness and creativity of humans.

human intellect

Focuses on the intellectual power and capacity of humankind.

cleverness of humanity

Highlights the collective cleverness of all people.

ingenuity of mankind

Uses a more formal term for 'humanity' to denote inventiveness.

resourcefulness of people

Emphasizes the ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties.

intelligence of humans

Directly references the intelligence possessed by human beings.

wisdom of humans

Emphasizes accumulated knowledge and understanding.

cognitive ability of humans

Highlights the mental processes involved in knowing, learning, and understanding.

mental acuity of people

Focuses on the sharpness and quickness of thought processes.

FAQs

How can I use "wit of man" in a sentence?

You can use "wit of man" to describe human intelligence or ingenuity, as in "It is not beyond the "wit of man" to solve this problem."

What is the meaning of the phrase "wit of man"?

The phrase "wit of man" refers to the intelligence, cleverness, and ingenuity possessed by humans.

What are some alternatives to "wit of man"?

Alternatives include "human intelligence", "human ingenuity", or "human intellect", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is "wit of man" most appropriate?

"Wit of man" is suitable in formal writing, philosophical discussions, or when emphasizing the remarkable capacity of human intelligence and creativity. It can be replaced by simpler alternatives in more casual situations.