Signs That May Question Someone’s Intelligence

As an English teacher, I've had the unique opportunity to observe a wide range of individuals, sometimes in the most casual settings. While there are certain behaviours that can immediately raise questions about someone’s intelligence, the truth is that it often takes time to fully understand a person's intellect. This article explores some of the linguistic and conversational indicators that might suggest a lack of intelligence, based on my own experiences and professional insights.

Linguistic Indicators

While many people can fall into the habit of using common conversational shortcuts or frequently repeat certain phrases, being meticulous about language can often indicate a higher level of intelligence. Conversely, frequent misuse or confusion of certain words can serve as red flags. Some examples include:

Frequent use of the filler word "like": This is a common habit seen in many speech patterns. However, an overuse of "like" can sometimes suggest a lack of confidence or a desire to fill any conversational gaps. Teenage catch-all terms like "boring": Sometimes, adolescents or young adults use words like "boring" as a catch-all to express disgust or dislike without delving into the reasoning behind it. This can be a sign of a less nuanced thought process. Using "they/them" instead of "those": While the use of gender-neutral pronouns has become increasingly common, misuse or incorrect use can point to a lack of attention to detail and grammatical precision.

Typical Behaviours That May Indicate Lack of Intelligence

There are certain behaviours and statements that can quickly give away a lack of intelligence. Here are some examples that I've encountered in the course of my teaching career:

1. "She went with John and I."
This is a classic example of a subject-verb agreement mistake. The correct form would be "She went with John and me." Such a mistake can indicate a lack of grammatical knowledge or an unwillingness to strive for accuracy.

2. "Less people were there than last year."
This is another countable noun misusage. Unlike "fewer," "less" is more appropriately used with non-countable nouns. The correct form would be "Fewer people were there than last year." Misusing terms like this can reveal a lack of clarity in basic grammar.

3. "I don’t believe in vaccinations."
While opinions vary, believing in such discredited ideas can indicate a lack of critical thinking and scientific literacy. Statements like this can sometimes be a sign of misinformation or a disregard for evidence-based facts.

4. "Your hands get dirtier if you wash them in a public restroom."
This statement reflects an incorrect understanding of hygiene practices. It's important to recognize that washing hands in a public restroom is necessary for hygiene and can help prevent the spread of germs, not exacerbate it.

5. "I love Trump."
While opinions can vary greatly, shifting political loyalties based on repeated statements without a logical or evidence-based reasoning can be indicative of a lack of thoughtfulness and critical analysis.

Conclusion

While these indicators can suggest a lack of intelligence, it's crucial to remember that a single phrase or statement is often not enough to draw a definitive conclusion. Understanding someone's intelligence deeply requires getting to know them over time. Certain individuals might use these phrases or exhibit these behaviours for playful or ironic reasons, not due to any lack of intelligence.

However, it is important for us to strive for clear and accurate communication. Paying attention to these linguistic and conversational clues can help us foster more nuanced and respectful dialogues, and ultimately improve our own communication skills.