being clever to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being clever to" is not standard in written English and may be confusing.
It could be used in contexts where one is describing a clever action or response directed towards someone or something, but it is not commonly used. Example: "She was being clever to find a solution that no one else had considered."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Hart's working hard and being clever to put across, I think, a very hateful point.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It's clever to remind people you're there.

The Guardian

It's clever to tackle such a tricky subject with humour, but where is the pain?

Independent

You've got to work hard, you've got to be clever to succeed.

The Guardian

One of my friends thought it would be clever to smash a window.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But being the go-to white guy to use when it's clever to do so is an empty fate.

The New York Times - Arts

Most people think it's clever to kowtow to power.

Forbes

Some clever grads open multiple accounts, thinking they're clever to save 10% on several purchases.

Forbes

Nico was clever to understand the situation quickly and to learn from Lewis".

BBC

You must be clever to catch an archer.

WikiHow

Wouldn't it be cleverer to run away from that falling spaceship sideways?

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider rephrasing to use more common and grammatically accepted alternatives such as "being smart enough to" or "acting cleverly". This will improve clarity and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using the construction "being clever to" as it's not a standard English phrase. It can sound unnatural and may confuse your readers. Opt for clearer alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being clever to" attempts to function as a descriptive phrase, indicating a state of employing cleverness for a particular action or purpose. However, Ludwig AI suggests that the phrasing is not standard English and may cause confusion.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

34%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "being clever to" might seem intuitively understandable, it is not considered standard English. Ludwig AI suggests that it's best to use alternative phrasings like "being smart enough to" or "acting cleverly" for better clarity and grammatical correctness. The phrase's rarity and non-standard nature make it unsuitable for formal writing. While present in a few news and media sources, its usage is limited, and clearer alternatives are generally preferred to avoid potential confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being smart enough to

Replaces "clever" with "smart" and changes the structure to "enough to", indicating sufficient intelligence for a specific task.

being intelligent in

Substitutes "clever" with "intelligent", emphasizing general mental capacity and reasoning skills.

being astute in

Replaces "clever" with "astute", suggesting a keen understanding and shrewdness in a particular situation.

being canny in

Uses "canny" instead of "clever", implying a shrewd and practical approach.

displaying sharpness in

Replaces "clever" with "sharpness", emphasizing mental acuity and quickness.

acting cleverly in order to

Adds "in order to", clarifying the purpose of the clever action.

exhibiting skill in

Shifts the focus to skillful execution, where cleverness is implied through competence.

being resourceful in

Emphasizes the ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties.

showing ingenuity in

Highlights the creative and inventive aspect of being clever.

demonstrating wit in

Focuses on the humorous and insightful side of cleverness.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "being clever to" to sound more natural?

Consider using alternatives like "being smart enough to", "acting cleverly", or "being ingenious" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is "being clever to" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "being clever to" isn't a standard or widely accepted grammatical construction in English. It's often better to use more common and grammatically sound alternatives.

What does "being clever to" imply?

The phrase suggests that someone is using their intelligence or wit in a particular way or for a specific purpose, but the phrasing itself is somewhat awkward.

Can I use "being clever to" in formal writing?

It's generally advisable to avoid "being clever to" in formal writing. Opt for more polished and grammatically standard phrases to maintain a professional tone.