a clever notion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a clever notion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an idea or thought that is particularly intelligent or inventive. Example: "Her proposal for a community garden was a clever notion that brought everyone together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It's a clever notion, but try separating them.

The New York Times

It's a clever notion, imagining the Microsoft magnate's home as an enchanted castle.

The New York Times

It's a clever notion, but the story goes in the miss pile.

The New York Times - Books

This is a clever notion that falters in the writing, but Stephen Hollis's staging and the acting have a cartoon sprightliness.

The New York Times

Mystics, rebels, feminists, exhibitionists: all have used hunger as a way to make a point.In an age of obesity, this is a clever notion and Ms Apt Russell scoops every morsel of interest from her subject.

The Economist

I just fell in love with my idea, starting putting money and time into it, and it never worked". Don't just come up with a clever notion; make sure people actually want it before you spend a lot of money developing it.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

This week I saw Lindsay Posner's terrific production of Rigoletto at Opera Holland Park, and he hit on an equally clever notion.

Independent

"All we are doing is telling beggars that, well, since you go house to house begging, would you like to take some merchandise with you, some cookies, some candy, something?" he asked a crowd that hooted with delight at this clever notion.

The New York Times

It was Mr. Karsten's clever notion to condition the bale with a little fertilizer and water, creating a kind of instant compost pile.

The New York Times

In 1819, the music publisher Anton Diabelli had the clever notion of inviting 50 composers to produce variations on the same simple waltz.

The Guardian - Music

For all its clever notions, "Book of Shadows" often seems more like a montage of pasted-together images than a coherent horror story.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a clever notion" to introduce an idea that is not only intelligent but also shows originality or a unique approach to a problem. It's suitable for contexts where you want to emphasize the ingenuity behind the idea.

Common error

Avoid using "a clever notion" too frequently in highly formal or academic writing. While acceptable, it might sound slightly less sophisticated than alternatives like "an innovative approach" or "an ingenious concept", especially in scholarly publications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a clever notion" functions as a noun phrase, where "clever" modifies the noun "notion". It serves to describe an idea, concept, or plan that is characterized by intelligence, ingenuity, or inventiveness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a clever notion" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes an idea characterized by intelligence and originality. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its frequency is uncommon, primarily appearing in News & Media contexts. It serves to highlight ingenuity and a unique approach, though in formal writing, alternatives like "an ingenious concept" or "an innovative approach" might be more suitable. Remember to use "a clever notion" to emphasize the inventiveness behind an idea, and consider the formality of your writing context when choosing between it and other related phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an ingenious concept

Emphasizes the inventiveness and originality of the idea.

a smart idea

Highlights the intelligence and practicality of the idea.

a brilliant plan

Stresses the excellence and strategic value of the plan.

an innovative approach

Focuses on the novelty and progressiveness of the method.

a creative solution

Highlights the imaginative and problem-solving aspect of the idea.

a shrewd strategy

Emphasizes the astuteness and tactical advantage of the strategy.

a bright idea

A more informal way to describe a good idea.

a perceptive insight

Highlights the depth and understanding behind the idea.

a cunning scheme

Implies a degree of craftiness and strategic manipulation.

a novel concept

Focuses on the newness and originality of the concept.

FAQs

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

You can use "a clever notion" to introduce an idea or plan that is particularly intelligent or inventive. For example: "Her proposal for a community garden was "a clever notion" that brought everyone together."

What are some alternatives to "a clever notion"?

Alternatives include "an ingenious concept", "a smart idea", or "a brilliant plan", depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "a clever notion" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a clever notion" might be perceived as less formal than alternatives such as "an innovative approach" or "a perceptive insight" in certain academic or professional contexts.

What distinguishes "a clever notion" from "a good idea"?

"A clever notion" implies more than just being good; it suggests intelligence, originality, and a unique approach. A good idea might be simply effective, whereas "a clever notion" is both effective and ingenious.