a clever decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a clever decision" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a choice or judgment that demonstrates intelligence or good reasoning. Example: "Choosing to invest in renewable energy was a clever decision that will benefit the company in the long run."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

But that does not make it a clever decision.

The Economist

As Derek Jeter saw Kevin Youkilis flying toward him with a takeout slide Saturday, he made a clever decision.

The New York Times - Sports

In the late thirties, Nielsen Company made a clever decision: it installed a monitoring box in 1,000 American homes.

The Guardian - Tech

"We have a lot of games every week and I think it is a clever decision [to rotate the squad]." That rotation saw Di Matteo make six alterations for Tuesday's Champions League match at the Estadio da Luz.

Independent

I was momentarily transported back to "A Beautiful Mind," and what a clever decision it had been to show the interactions of the mathematician-hero John Nash Russell Crowee) with a government agent (Ed Harris) and his enlistment in a top-secret project.

The New York Times

It seemed like such a clever decision to choose these objects at the time.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Commenting on Kieswetter's decision not to compete in the IPL next season, Rose added: "For his age and connections, I think it's a very clever decision.

BBC

This is not an oversight on Herbert's part but, rather, a clever authorial decision.

The New Yorker

It's a clever artistic decision on the part of the company's director, Benoît-Swan Pouffer, who joined Cedar Lake as its resident choreographer in 2005 and was promoted to artistic director the following year.

The New York Times

But the new gig also strikes us as a clever personal decision: is Nigel getting back at Banks by decamping to a project helmed by her former rival, Naomi?

Huffington Post

Another clever decision: the trending bar shows up even when a user isn't logged in.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a decision, use "a clever decision" to highlight the intelligence and thoughtfulness behind it. This phrasing is particularly effective when you want to emphasize the positive aspects of the decision-making process.

Common error

Avoid using "a clever decision" when the context doesn't explicitly demonstrate the intelligence behind the choice. Overusing the adjective without proper justification can make your writing sound insincere or lacking in substance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a clever decision" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. The adjective "clever" describes the quality of the "decision", indicating that it is intelligent and well-reasoned. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is perfectly acceptable and suitable for different contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a clever decision" is grammatically correct and represents an intelligent or well-reasoned choice. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and its usage is relatively uncommon, frequently appearing in News & Media. When writing, use "a clever decision" to showcase intelligence behind a choice, avoiding overuse without proper context. Alternatives like "a smart decision" or "an astute decision" provide similar meanings. Ludwig’s analysis confirms the phrase's appropriateness and provides insight into its diverse applications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a smart decision

Uses "smart" instead of "clever", conveying a similar sense of intelligence.

an astute decision

Replaces "clever" with "astute", suggesting keen discernment.

a wise choice

Substitutes "decision" with "choice" and "clever" with "wise", emphasizing good judgment.

a judicious determination

Employs "judicious" and "determination", highlighting careful consideration.

an ingenious plan

Changes the structure to focus on a plan rather than a decision, emphasizing creativity.

a canny move

Uses "canny" and "move" to describe a shrewd action or maneuver.

a brilliant strategy

Focuses on a strategy, indicating a well-thought-out approach.

a tactical maneuver

Highlights the strategic and planned nature of the action.

a resourceful solution

Shifts the focus to the problem-solving aspect, emphasizing ingenuity.

an insightful judgment

Emphasizes the depth of understanding behind the decision.

FAQs

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

You can use "a clever decision" to describe a choice that demonstrates intelligence or good reasoning. For instance, "Investing in renewable energy was "a clever decision" that benefited the company in the long run."

What are some alternatives to "a clever decision"?

Alternatives include "a smart choice", "an astute decision", or "a wise move". The best alternative depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to describe a decision as "clever"?

While "clever" generally implies intelligence and skill, it's important to consider the context. Ensure that the decision genuinely reflects thoughtful reasoning and avoids unintended negative connotations.

What is the difference between "a clever decision" and "a smart decision"?

While both phrases suggest intelligence, "clever" often implies ingenuity and inventiveness, whereas "a smart decision" generally denotes practicality and efficiency.