clever ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clever ability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a skill or talent that is both intelligent and effective in achieving a particular outcome. Example: "Her clever ability to solve complex problems quickly made her an invaluable asset to the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Teddy Brenner, the longtime Madison Square Garden matchmaker whose keen eye for appraising fighters was matched by his clever ability to deal with their managers, died on Friday at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

The New York Times - Sports

"Jonathan Shaw is a shameless evildoer, a decorated veteran of the dug war whose deviance is only exceeded by his clever ability to weave his sickness into a true classic of American literature.

Vice

(The length of the recovery is a complicated formula involving the age of your child, multiplied by how long they prepared for this try-out, divided by your clever ability to distract them by dangling a new dream in front of them...) If your kid is cut, you may very well ask yourself why y'all even bothered taking the risk.

Huffington Post

And this isn't an analysis of Mutombo's clever ability to tip rebounds to his teammates or a bit of high praise for the way he stuffed Kobe Bryant once Wednesday night, or how his lumbering waltz as he prepares for his slooooowly developing hook shot must take longer than the three seconds he's allowed in the lane, right?

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Prepare to leave the cinema drooling with wonder at those clever chaps' ability to make rats' hair move convincingly; try hard not to think about the somewhat mucky motion capture procedure that one assumes must have been necessary to achieve such a parfait result.

The Guardian - Film

Criminals are getting increasingly clever in their ability to create emails that look authentic, making it difficult for even savvy computer users to spot the spoofs.

Columbia University

Blair has annoyed his party before and got away with it because of his clever, almost uncanny ability to judge the mood of the nation.

The Guardian

Patrick van Aanholt: For all of Wilfried Zaha's clever trickery and ability on the ball, he would score 20 goals a season for Crystal Palace if he could strike a ball cleanly.

BBC

"Thanks mate but I can't go past @sam_tomkins or @seanol15," said patrichards5, the latter a reference to the loose forward Sean O'Loughlin, who has epitomised the extra aggression that Wigan have shown this season while retaining his clever play-making abilities.

The Guardian - Sport

Its cleverest is its ability to "pause" live broadcasts by continuing to record the broadcast when the pause button is pressed, and then to replay the material stored on one part of the hard drive while carrying on recording the live broadcast on another part of the disk.Also, by not having to wind cumbersome tape, a PVR can fast-forward, pause and rewind programmes in a blink of the eye.

The Economist

It's the latest attempt to tackle email mountains with clever filters, and the ability to see "highlights" without opening emails up.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's "clever ability", be specific about the area where they excel. Instead of a general statement, provide concrete examples of their cleverness in action.

Common error

Avoid using "clever ability" in overly formal or academic writing. More precise and sophisticated vocabulary might be more appropriate for those contexts. For example, instead of describing someone as having "clever ability" use: "astute capability".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clever ability" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "clever" modifies the noun "ability". It describes a specific type of capability characterized by intelligence and ingenuity. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clever ability" is a grammatically sound and understandable phrase used to describe a capacity marked by intelligence and ingenuity. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English. While not overly common, the phrase appears primarily in news and media contexts. It can be useful to illustrate the resourceful and smart elements of specific talents. For more formal situations, it may be better to replace with more specific synonyms, like "astute capability" or "ingenious talent". When using the phrase, provide context to ensure the intelligence aspect of the ability is clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smart skill

Replaces "clever" with a more general synonym, "smart", indicating intelligence but potentially lacking the connotation of ingenuity.

ingenious talent

Emphasizes inventiveness and resourcefulness more strongly than "clever ability".

astute capability

Highlights sharpness and perceptiveness as key aspects of the ability.

deft proficiency

Suggests skillfulness and dexterity, moving away from pure intelligence.

shrewd aptitude

Implies a practical intelligence and resourcefulness, often in a business or political context.

brilliant expertise

Indicates a high level of intelligence combined with specialized knowledge.

intelligent capacity

A more formal and abstract way of expressing the same idea.

resourceful skill

Focuses on the ability to find clever ways to overcome difficulties.

innovative capacity

Stresses the ability to come up with original and effective solutions.

cunning talent

Implies a manipulative or deceptive intelligence, adding a negative connotation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "clever ability" to sound more formal?

Consider using phrases like "astute capability", "ingenious talent", or "brilliant expertise" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "clever ability" redundant? Should I just use "ability" or "cleverness"?

While "ability" encompasses the general capacity to do something, "clever ability" specifies that the ability is characterized by intelligence and ingenuity. "Cleverness" is a quality, whereas "clever ability" describes a specific skilled competence.

What's the difference between "clever ability" and "skillful ability"?

"Skillful ability" emphasizes expertise and dexterity, while "clever ability" highlights intelligence and resourcefulness. A skillful ability might involve refined technique, whereas a "clever ability" involves smart problem-solving.

Can "clever ability" be used in a negative context?

While generally positive, "clever ability" could be used sarcastically or to describe someone who is manipulative. However, in most cases, it implies genuine intelligence and ingenuity. Depending on the context "cunning talent" might be a better alternative.