a cunning combination

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a cunning combination" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a clever or skillful blend of elements, often in a strategic or deceptive context. Example: "The magician's act was a cunning combination of illusion and misdirection that left the audience in awe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

A cunning combination of sporty and sexy.

Independent

Langella's Nixon was a cunning combination of cornball and oddball: bitter, humiliated, astute, and vainglorious.

The New Yorker

I wasn't too far off: most mini-series provided a cunning combination of class and trash, catnip for an audience seeking something deeper than a soap opera, but just as racy.

The New York Times - Arts

Cris Benton, the former chairman of the architecture department at the University of California, Berkeley, stood at the Faire, patiently explaining how he and his like-minded friends take aerial photographs by hoisting cameras on kites, a cunning combination of high tech and old crafts.

The New York Times - Science

The Arts Desk said Matilda was "a cunning combination of gross cartoon, pitch-perfect professionalism and endearing feel good factor".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

They never give interviews or pose for pictures, in part because they value their privacy and in part because of a kind of underground code of silence, exile, and cunning — a combination, perhaps, of vestigial Stasi-era paranoia, punkish disdain for the media, and an embrace of the techno-culture virtue of anonymity.

The New Yorker

Xavi laid the ball into Torres's path at a cunning angle, inviting the forward to use a combination of speed and strength to overwhelm Philipp Lahm before producing a gorgeous chip to beat Jens Lehmann.

The Guardian - Sport

What a cunning plan.

The Guardian - Books

A cunning one, even.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

MIGHT it have been a cunning plan?

The Economist

There is a cunning control of suspense.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a cunning combination", ensure the elements being combined are clearly defined to emphasize the skill or ingenuity involved.

Common error

While "cunning" implies cleverness, it can also suggest deceit. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "strategic" or "ingenious" unless the intention is to highlight a potentially manipulative aspect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cunning combination" functions as a noun phrase, where "cunning" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "combination". It describes a specific type of combination characterized by cleverness and ingenuity. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms the phrase's validity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"A cunning combination" is a noun phrase used to describe a clever or ingenious blend of elements. While grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, its frequency is rare. It is predominantly found in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral register. Alternatives such as ""a clever blend"" or ""an ingenious mix"" can be used depending on the desired emphasis. When employing this phrase, consider the potential for "cunning" to imply deceit and choose alternative words for formal writing unless the manipulative element is deliberately intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a clever blend

Replaces "cunning" with "clever" and "combination" with "blend", softening the implication of deception.

a canny mix

Similar to "a clever blend" but uses "canny" to emphasize resourcefulness and shrewdness.

an ingenious mix

Substitutes "cunning" with "ingenious", highlighting inventiveness, and "combination" with "mix", implying a simpler blend.

an artful blend

Emphasizes the skill and artistry involved in creating the combination, replacing "cunning" with "artful".

a masterful synthesis

Highlights the high level of skill in the combination, substituting "cunning" with "masterful" and "combination" with "synthesis".

a shrewd amalgamation

Replaces "cunning" with "shrewd", emphasizing practicality and sharp intelligence, and "combination" with "amalgamation", suggesting a more complex merging.

a wily concoction

Replaces "cunning" with "wily" which suggests slyness and "combination" with "concoction" which implies something carefully prepared.

a strategic fusion

Substitutes "cunning" with "strategic", focusing on planned action, and "combination" with "fusion", implying a strong bond.

a slick merging

Suggests a smooth and efficient combination, replacing "cunning" with "slick" and "combination" with "merging".

a deft synthesis

Replaces "cunning" with "deft", emphasizing skill and precision, and "combination" with "synthesis", indicating a refined integration.

FAQs

How can I use "a cunning combination" in a sentence?

You can use "a cunning combination" to describe something that cleverly blends different elements to achieve a specific goal. For example, "The success of the project was due to "a cunning combination" of marketing and product development."

What are some alternatives to "a cunning combination"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a clever blend", "an ingenious mix", or "a strategic fusion".

Is "cunning combination" always negative?

While "cunning" can have negative connotations, ""a cunning combination"" isn't inherently negative. It depends on the context and what's being combined. If used to describe a manipulative tactic, it's negative, but if it describes a clever strategy, it can be neutral or even positive.

What's the difference between "a cunning combination" and "a clever strategy"?

"A cunning combination" implies a blend of elements, suggesting the cleverness lies in how these elements are merged. "A clever strategy", on the other hand, focuses on the overall plan or approach.