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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
academic clever
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "academic clever" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used to describe someone who is intelligent in an academic context, but it is better to use more conventional expressions. Example: "Her academic cleverness was evident in her ability to solve complex problems during the exam."
News & Media
Wiki
Alternative expressions(2)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
The songs "The Anchor Song", "One Day", and "Aeroplane" draw on what Björk refers to as her more "academic, clever side".
Wiki
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
We don't go in for pontificating to the nation, but if you ask whether we have a vibrant form of political, social and cultural debate in which people who are academic, intellectual, clever – and not just media stars – engage, we have loads of it.
News & Media
And it is a mistake to think that, because academics are clever, they are less likely to misunderstand a well-intentioned message.
News & Media
The past few years have seen the best and brightest, obsessed by clever academic models, wreaking havoc in one area after another.
News & Media
The Left's perception of events centred around a clever, academic freedom fighter who had liberated Zimbabwe.
News & Media
In parallel, sustainability consultants and academics mapped out clever (and usually proprietary) strategic response scenarios.
News & Media
Salford's clever academics, who once took me shopping in a virtual supermarket – you sat in an armchair wearing a helmet and a glove – have now recreated the sound of Stonehenge.
News & Media
Leaders of Syriza, the radical left-wing party that leads the coalition – clever academics; idealistic, appealingly tieless but often clueless in terms of political and economic strategy, due to their inexperience – must negotiate an economic strategy that satisfies their eurozone neighbours and offers up a vision of a better future to a people who elected them on the slogan "Hope is on the way".
News & Media
The Parthenon, as I was reminded by browsing through the Culture 4.0 software, is a superb architectural example of the golden rectangle, one that has the most aesthetically pleasing ratio of length to width -- the mama bear of rectangles, according to one of the many clever academics, historians and critics whose views are included in Culture 4.0.
News & Media
This might seem fairly obvious, and so it should be, but with the bewildered integrity of the child who points out that the emperor has no clothes, Tallis reminds us of the surprising obtuseness of clever academics when they fail to see what's right in front of their noses.
News & Media
That is, in countries where "clever kids" do academic subjects and "less clever kids" do vocational ones, the chance of poorer children going to university drops significantly.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Consider using more common and precise alternatives such as "academically intelligent" or "intellectually sharp" for clarity and wider acceptance.
Common error
Avoid using "academic clever" in formal academic writing as it might be perceived as informal or colloquial. Instead, opt for more conventional and accepted terms like "intellectually astute" or "academically gifted."
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
3.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "academic clever" functions as a descriptive modifier, attempting to characterize a noun (often a person or their abilities) with qualities of both academic aptitude and general intelligence. Ludwig examples show uses in discussions about qualities of people or concepts.
Frequent in
News & Media
50%
Wiki
50%
Less common in
Science
0%
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "academic clever" is a grammatically acceptable but not standard phrase used to describe intelligence within an academic setting. While it appears in some news and media contexts and on Wikipedia, Ludwig suggests it's less common in formal academic or scientific writing. For clearer and more accepted alternatives, consider using "academically intelligent" or "intellectually sharp". Ludwig AI flags the phrase as not standard, recommending more conventional expressions for enhanced clarity and formality in writing.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
academically intelligent
Replaces "clever" with a more direct synonym, emphasizing intelligence in an academic setting.
intellectually gifted in academics
Focuses on innate talent and its application to academic pursuits. Adds a layer of natural ability.
sharp academic mind
Highlights the sharpness and clarity of thought specifically in an academic context. Uses a noun instead of an adjective.
astute academic
Emphasizes shrewdness and insight within academic disciplines. Changes word order and focuses on a person.
brilliant academic
Uses a stronger adjective than clever, suggesting exceptional intelligence in academia.
academically proficient
Focuses on demonstrated skill and competence in academic subjects. Emphasizes achieved ability.
adept at academic work
Highlights skillfulness in handling academic tasks and assignments. Uses a different grammatical structure.
quick-witted in academic discussions
Emphasizes mental agility during academic conversations and debates. Highlights a specific context.
exceptionally bright in academic pursuits
Highlights remarkable intellectual ability in relation to academic endeavors. Adds intensifiers for emphasis.
highly intellectual academic
Highlights the intellectual attributes of an academic, focusing on broader intellectual capabilities. Uses a noun instead of an adjective.
FAQs
What does "academic clever" mean?
The phrase "academic clever" suggests someone who is intelligent or quick-witted within an academic context. However, it is not a standard or commonly used phrase in formal English.
How can I use "academic clever" in a sentence?
While not standard, you could use "academic clever" to describe someone's intelligence in school, for example: "Her academic clever side was evident in her approach to complex assignments." However, consider more formal alternatives.
What are some alternatives to "academic clever"?
Alternatives include "academically intelligent", "intellectually sharp", or "astute academic", depending on the context. These options are more widely accepted and understood in academic and professional settings.
Is "academic clever" grammatically incorrect?
The phrase is grammatically acceptable, but it's not a standard or widely used expression. It is more a matter of style and common usage. More established phrases are generally preferred.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
3.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested