clever enough

USAGE SUMMARY

"clever enough" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something or someone is sufficiently intelligent or skillful. For example: "The professor's lecture was clever enough to keep the students' attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's clever enough I guess.

The New York Times - Magazine

Maybe you're not clever enough.

The Guardian - Opinion

We weren't clever enough in either game.

Independent

Tom Stoppard: are you clever enough?

The Guardian - Opinion

I don't think I'm clever enough.

The Guardian - Sport

Who is clever enough is in Prague".

The New York Times

I'm not clever enough to know.

The Guardian - Sport

I'm not clever enough to write.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He did not look clever enough to be a bandit.

The New Yorker

It is not clever enough to become a cult classic.

The New Yorker

Would she be clever enough to unbend it?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clever enough" to convey that someone or something possesses the minimum required level of intelligence or skill for a specific task or situation. For example, "The algorithm was clever enough to detect the fraudulent transactions."

Common error

Avoid using "clever enough" when a stronger term like "brilliant" or "genius" is more appropriate. "Clever enough" implies adequacy, not exceptional ability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clever enough" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a sufficient degree of intelligence or skill. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in expressing adequate capability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

16%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

19%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "clever enough" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone or something possesses the minimum required intelligence or skill. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports to academic discussions. While "clever enough" is versatile, it's important to consider whether a stronger term might be more appropriate, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Related phrases include "sufficiently intelligent", ""smart enough"", and ""capable enough"". Remember to use "clever enough" when you want to indicate adequacy, not exceptional ability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smart enough

Substitutes "clever" with the more colloquial "smart".

intelligent enough

Replaces "clever" with "intelligent", a more formal synonym.

sufficiently intelligent

Replaces "clever" with a more formal synonym and uses an adverb to modify "intelligent".

sharp enough

Uses "sharp" to suggest mental acuity and quickness.

bright enough

Employs "bright", implying quick-wittedness or intelligence.

wise enough

Suggests good judgment and understanding, rather than just intelligence.

astute enough

Uses "astute", suggesting a keen ability to assess situations and people.

knowledgeable enough

Highlights the possession of sufficient knowledge for a particular purpose.

capable enough

Focuses on the capability aspect, implying competence to handle something.

competent enough

Similar to "capable enough", but with a stronger emphasis on demonstrated skill.

FAQs

How can I use "clever enough" in a sentence?

You can use "clever enough" to indicate that someone or something possesses the necessary intelligence or skill for a task. For example, "He wasn't "smart enough" to solve the riddle" or "The software is "intelligent enough" to filter spam emails".

What are some alternatives to "clever enough"?

Alternatives to "clever enough" include "sufficiently intelligent", "smart enough", or "capable enough", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "clever enough to" or "clever enough for"?

Both constructions are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Clever enough to" suggests the ability to perform an action, while "clever enough for" suggests suitability for a situation. For instance, "He is "smart enough" to understand the concept" versus "He is "knowledgeable enough" for the job".

What does "just clever enough" imply?

"Just clever enough" suggests the bare minimum level of intelligence or skill required. It can imply that someone is barely managing to succeed or that something is only minimally effective. Example: "The plan was "barely intelligent" enough to work".