clever observations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clever observations" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe insightful or intelligent remarks or comments made about a particular subject or situation. Example: "Her clever observations during the meeting helped us see the problem from a new perspective."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Kim Wilde's record collection!" What price Collins's sardonic, clever observations in that climate?

The Guardian - Music

She writes clear, funny, unadorned prose, and packs her pages with clever observations without appearing to be trying.

The New York Times - Books

That's the very quality -- along with Grodstein's agile prose and clever observations -- that makes her stand out.

The New York Times - Books

He does not trade in clever observations or neat wordplay, but in a viciously exaggerated idea of blue humour, usually at the expense of celebrities.

The Guardian

(Talks are expected to resume today at 10 A.M .. To read: Thirteen clever observations by the children's author Lemony Snicket about Occupy Wall Street.

The New Yorker

Anyone who reads much fiction by young American writers is used to hoping, often in vain, that a novelist will do things -- that is, that he or she will bother to hang his or her clever observations on an actual story.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

But, for now, in the battle between historical accuracy and every single clever observation ever uttered being credited to either Mark Twain or Winston Churchill, the misattributors are winning.

The New Yorker

Make a clever observation.

WikiHow

But sometimes the everyday texts that contain clever witticisms, pithy observations and inside jokes are also worth sharing, says Lauren Leto.

The New York Times

Meta to the max, filled with clever jokes and observations that stick like barbs and deflated ones that land with a thud, "Seven Psychopaths" is a leisurely riff about movies, violence, storytelling and the art of the steal.

The New York Times

Even falsifiability, the benchmark for positivist science, rules out many of the legitimate theoretical claims of cutting-edge physics, and rules in many wacky claims, like astrology — if the proponents are clever about which observations corroborate their predictions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clever observations", ensure the context highlights the intelligence or wit behind the remarks. It's best suited for situations where someone has made a particularly insightful or astute comment.

Common error

Avoid using "clever observations" excessively in formal academic or business writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "insightful analyses" or "astute insights" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clever observations" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "clever" modifies the noun "observations". It describes the quality of the observations being made, emphasizing their intelligence or wit. Ludwig confirms the correct usage of this expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clever observations" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe remarks that are insightful, intelligent, or witty. As affirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, media, and general discussions. However, in more formal settings like academic or business writing, alternatives like "astute insights" or "intelligent remarks" might be more appropriate. While "clever" adds a sense of ingenuity, it's crucial to ensure the context aligns with the intended tone. The phrase's frequency and usability are well-supported by examples from reliable sources, showcasing its versatility in modern English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insightful remarks

Similar in meaning, focusing on the insightful nature of the remarks.

astute insights

Focuses on the insightful quality, replacing 'observations' with 'insights' and 'clever' with 'astute'.

shrewd remarks

Replaces "observations" with "remarks" and "clever" with "shrewd", emphasizing keen intelligence.

sharp insights

Focuses on the acuity and intelligence of the insights.

intelligent insights

Highlights the intelligence behind the observations, using "intelligent" instead of "clever".

smart assessments

Replaces "observations" with "assessments" and "clever" with "smart", emphasizing the intelligence behind the evaluations.

witty comments

Focuses on the humor and cleverness, substituting "observations" with "comments" and "clever" with "witty".

perceptive analyses

Emphasizes the analytical aspect of the observations, using "analyses" instead of "observations" and "perceptive" instead of "clever".

brilliant deductions

Highlights the deductive reasoning involved in the observations.

ingenious findings

Focuses on the inventiveness of the observations, using "ingenious" to describe them.

FAQs

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

You can use "clever observations" to describe insightful or intelligent remarks. For example, "Her "clever observations" during the meeting helped us see the problem from a new perspective."

What are some alternatives to "clever observations"?

Alternatives include "astute insights", "shrewd remarks", or "intelligent insights", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "clever observations" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "clever observations" might be perceived as less formal. For academic or business writing, consider more formal alternatives like "insightful analyses" or "astute comments".

What makes an observation 'clever'?

A 'clever' observation typically demonstrates intelligence, wit, or ingenuity. It often involves seeing something in a new or unexpected way.