Reasonably clever

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reasonably clever" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that demonstrates a moderate level of intelligence or cleverness, often implying that it is satisfactory but not exceptional. Example: "Her solution to the problem was reasonably clever, showing that she understood the concepts well enough to come up with a workable answer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

General Writing

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

For humour you have to be reasonably clever.

The Guardian - Sport

For brief periods, any reasonably clever sociopath can act with saintlike niceness for his own manipulative purposes.

The New York Times - Books

It has a reasonably clever script, some good acting and characters about whom it is possible to care, however outlandish their circumstances may be.

The New York Times

Fan speculation on bleedingcool.com, a news, rumor and gossip site, was immediate and included the usual ("Is Batman finally finding the way out of the closet?") and the reasonably clever ("Martian MANHUNTER").

The New York Times

The labors of the cast help to make "The Debt" a compact, reasonably clever and sometimes piquant entertainment, but they also make you aware that it could have been more.

The New York Times

"Ripper Street" is, however, reasonably clever and sometimes even witty in its depictions of forward-thinking detectives pioneering the forensic methods and investigative procedures that will eventually become the grist for a thousand television shows.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Pretty clever.

Forbes

The three debates produced three different Al Gores the snarling clever-dick, the polite pushover and, finally, the reasonably polite clever-dick.

The Economist

They all offer more or less the same thing: a bunch of clever, reasonably well-trained analytical people wearing pin-striped suits and using a problem-solving approach to make recommendations about general management problems.

Harvard Business Review

Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus, developed by Sucker Punch, flouts this convention with a reasonably cogent story and some clever dialogue.

The New York Times - Tech

While sound gets short shrift, a number of clever and (usually) reasonably priced audio products are worth considering for an innovative gift this year.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reasonably clever" when you want to convey that something or someone is intelligent or ingenious to a satisfactory but not exceptional degree. It's a balanced way to give credit without overstating ability.

Common error

Avoid using "reasonably clever" when you intend to express exceptional or outstanding ingenuity. In those cases, use stronger terms like "exceptionally brilliant" or "remarkably ingenious."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reasonably clever" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a moderate level of intelligence or ingenuity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to describe something or someone as adequately but not exceptionally intelligent, which is supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Arts

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reasonably clever" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something or someone possessing a moderate level of intelligence or ingenuity. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and frequency. While it appears most commonly in news and media sources, and it can be used in many writing contexts to convey a balanced assessment without overstating abilities. For alternative phrases, consider "moderately intelligent" or "fairly astute" to achieve similar effects. Remember to avoid using "reasonably clever" when you aim to describe something exceptionally ingenious; stronger terms would be more suitable in that context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Reasonably intelligent

A more general term, directly addressing intelligence rather than cleverness.

Moderately intelligent

Focuses more directly on the level of intelligence rather than the cleverness or ingenuity.

Fairly astute

Emphasizes sharpness and perceptiveness in understanding situations.

Somewhat ingenious

Highlights the inventiveness or originality of the idea or solution.

Slightly brilliant

Implies a degree of exceptional intelligence, though still moderate.

Passably bright

Suggests a level of intelligence that is adequate or acceptable.

Adequately smart

Indicates that the level of smartness is sufficient for the purpose.

Kind of witty

Focuses on the humor and quickness of thought rather than overall intelligence.

Decently sharp

Emphasizes quickness and effectiveness in thinking or understanding.

Acceptably ingenious

It suggests the level of ingenuity is acceptable, not outstanding, but sufficient.

FAQs

How can I use "reasonably clever" in a sentence?

You can use "reasonably clever" to describe a solution, idea, or person that shows a moderate degree of intelligence or ingenuity. For example, "Her solution to the problem was "reasonably clever", indicating a good understanding of the concepts involved."

What are some synonyms for "reasonably clever"?

Some alternatives to "reasonably clever" include "moderately intelligent", "fairly astute", or "somewhat ingenious". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something is "reasonably clever"?

Yes, the phrase "reasonably clever" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe a moderate level of intelligence or ingenuity.

What's the difference between "reasonably clever" and "very clever"?

"Reasonably clever" suggests a good but not outstanding level of ingenuity, while "very clever" implies a high degree of intelligence and wit. The choice depends on the intensity of the cleverness you want to express.