clever of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clever of" is not correct or usable in written English.
You could use the phrase "cleverly" instead. For example: She cleverly avoided the question.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How clever of you.

The Guardian

"Very clever of me, I say".

The New York Times - Books

Except not clever, of course.

The New Yorker

8.13pm: That's rather clever of Kieslowski.

The Guardian - Film

That was clever of me wasn't it?

The Guardian - Film

Clever of me to become a critic.

The Guardian - Books

That most clever of techniques obviously pushes people's buttons.

The New York Times

"That was very clever of Canongate," he murmurs.

The Guardian - Books

So clever of the FT to make expenses so transparent.

The Guardian

How clever of Glass to make each act shorter than the last.

The Guardian - Music

The organisers had been clever, of course, like they have been for much of these Games.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "clever of" is commonly used, consider using "cleverly" as an adverb for a more grammatically sound sentence. For instance, instead of "That was clever of you", try "You handled that cleverly".

Common error

Avoid using "clever of" in formal contexts such as academic papers or business reports. The phrase is considered informal, and you can use more precise language to convey the same meaning. Consider phrases like "demonstrated ingenuity" or "exhibited strategic thinking" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clever of" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, expressing admiration for someone's intelligence or skill. However, it's often considered grammatically incorrect, as noted by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "clever of" is commonly used to express admiration for someone's intelligence, but Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically incorrect. While prevalent in news and media, using "cleverly" as an adverb or restructuring the sentence is advisable for better grammatical correctness. Alternatives like "ingenious of" or "astute of" can also convey a similar meaning. Due to grammatical issues it is not recommended in formal context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ingenious of someone

Replaces "clever" with "ingenious", focusing on inventiveness.

astute of someone

Uses "astute" instead of "clever", highlighting sharpness and discernment.

smart move by someone

Rephrases the compliment as a "smart move", emphasizing the action's intelligence.

bright idea from someone

Focuses on the idea itself being bright, attributed to someone.

shrewd decision by someone

Highlights the wisdom and practicality behind the decision.

how resourceful of someone

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

wise decision by someone

Highlights the prudence and good judgment of the action taken.

thoughtful of someone

Shifts the focus from intelligence to considerateness.

it was canny of someone

Uses "canny" to suggest shrewdness, especially in business or politics.

how strategic of someone

Highlights that the action or decision resulted from careful planning and gaining an advantage.

FAQs

Is "clever of" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "clever of" is not correct. It is more grammatically sound to use adverbs like "cleverly" instead.

What does "clever of" mean?

The phrase "clever of" expresses admiration or acknowledgment of someone's intelligence or ingenuity in a given situation. However, it's often better to rephrase the sentence for better grammar.

What are some alternatives to "clever of"?

Alternatives include "ingenious of", "astute of", or rephrasing the sentence using an adverb like "cleverly".

How can I use "cleverly" instead of "clever of" in a sentence?

Instead of saying "It was clever of them to do that", you can say "They did that cleverly".