clever as ever

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clever as ever" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who continues to demonstrate their intelligence or wit consistently over time. Example: "Despite the challenges she faced, her solutions were clever as ever, impressing everyone in the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

He is as funny and clever as ever, and he's as sexy as ever, too".

The Guardian - Books

Benedict Cumberbatch is as clever as ever; Keira Knightley is cute as the brainbox to whom Turing is briefly engaged.

The Guardian - Opinion

The lyrics are as clever as ever (in listing all the practical tasks that Bragg can't do, "Handyman Blues" illustrates the literary ones that he can) but never just clever.

The New Yorker

When we spoke to him recently, he sounded as robust and clever as ever.

Vice

Twenty years on and the teens that populate Harmony Korine's Kids still seem as nihilistic, violent, troubling, funny, and astonishingly clever as ever.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The Annual Metaphorical Bicycle Race & Indoor Hunt is approaching, and something strange is afoot … Quirky, clever and (as ever) marvellously detailed to the eye, Goth Girl is a beautiful object, and full of good jokes – a combination that's hard to beat.

Independent

The lyrics were clever as well.

Vice

Brilliantly silly, stupidly clever as always.

Huffington Post

You'd think that after 29 years, "The Simpsons" would lose a step or two, but the animated series seems as clever and inventive as ever.

Huffington Post

I signed off with a confident prediction that the droll sarcasm of the desk sergeant Phil Esterhaus Michael Conradd) in Hill Street Blues was about as clever as American television would ever get.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Back then, he thought that Hill Street Blues was about as clever as American TV would ever get, and that "seriousness, sophistication, and the thrill of creativity could be supplied only by the older, wiser, more mature nations".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clever as ever" to highlight the consistent display of intelligence, wit, or ingenuity over a period of time or despite changing circumstances. It's effective when acknowledging someone's enduring sharp mind.

Common error

While "clever as ever" is perfectly acceptable, be mindful of your audience and the overall tone of your writing. In highly formal or academic contexts, consider more sophisticated synonyms like "astute as always" or "perspicacious as before".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clever as ever" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun (often implied) to describe a consistent state of intelligence or ingenuity. It highlights the enduring nature of someone's cleverness. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in describing people and creative works.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "clever as ever" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe someone or something's enduring intelligence, wit, or ingenuity. Ludwig AI indicates it is commonly found in News & Media contexts, making it appropriate for neutral registers. While the phrase is effective for conveying admiration for consistent cleverness, remember to consider the overall tone of your writing and audience. As Ludwig's examples show, its use is straightforward, highlighting a person or thing's sustained intellectual abilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intelligent as ever

Substitutes "clever" with "intelligent", focusing on general cognitive ability rather than wit or ingenuity.

smart as ever

Uses "smart" instead of "clever", which is a more informal and general term for intelligence.

bright as ever

Uses "bright" instead of "clever", conveying a sense of quick-wittedness and intelligence.

brilliant as ever

Replaces "clever" with "brilliant", suggesting an exceptional level of intelligence and insight.

cunning as ever

Replaces "clever" with "cunning", implying a sharpness and perhaps a degree of craftiness or strategic thinking.

astute as ever

Substitutes "clever" with "astute", highlighting perceptiveness and insightful understanding.

ingenious as ever

Substitutes "clever" with "ingenious", emphasizing inventiveness and resourcefulness.

shrewd as ever

Replaces "clever" with "shrewd", suggesting astuteness and practical intelligence.

skilled as ever

Replaces "clever" with "skilled", focusing on competence and proficiency.

skillful as ever

Similar to "skilled as ever", emphasizing competence and adroitness.

FAQs

What does "clever as ever" mean?

The phrase "clever as ever" means that someone or something continues to exhibit a high level of intelligence, wit, or ingenuity, just like they always have.

How can I use "clever as ever" in a sentence?

You can use "clever as ever" to describe someone who consistently demonstrates their intelligence or wit. For example: "Despite the challenges, her solutions were "clever as ever", impressing everyone in the meeting."

What can I say instead of "clever as ever"?

You can use alternatives like "intelligent as ever", "bright as ever", or "astute as ever" depending on the context.

Is "clever as always" a suitable alternative to "clever as ever"?

Yes, "clever as always" is a perfectly suitable alternative to ""clever as ever"". Both phrases convey the idea of consistent intelligence or ingenuity.