clever situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clever situation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a scenario that is particularly smart, witty, or resourceful in nature. Example: "The way she turned the awkward moment into a joke created a clever situation that lightened the mood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Person to Person" has the ingenious construction and the relaxed discursiveness of a major literary short story, in which a clever situation — at a party, a young woman passes out on the host's floor and, when she wakes up there the next morning, doesn't want to leave — provides a crucial cross-section of one man's life and a whole way of life.

The New Yorker

What he devised was a clever situation in which a subordinate chimp could compete for food with a more dominant chimp.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The concept is simple: you upload, link to, or take a picture of your face and then put it into a series of clever situations or onto the faces of popular celebrities.

TechCrunch

Warren Martyn and Adrian Wood write positively of the episode in their book I Can't Believe It's a Bigger and Better Updated Unofficial Simpsons Guide: "A smashing episode, loads of good jokes and clever situations... and best of all, Lisa working intelligently.

Wikipedia

KA: To complement a photo of the remains of the theater's curtain after the roof collapsed (page 56), I included this excerpt that a reporter from the Washington Post wrote: There was applause and laughter following a particularly clever comedy situation.

The Washington Post

In this situation, clever tweaks to the regulatory system will be of little use without a more fundamental shift in the political balance of power.

Huffington Post

Our jokes need to be rooted in ironic situations, clever word-play, and in our own flaws - jibes should not at the expense of the people we care for.

Critical Care

But he also wrote, "The Chinese people have the Chinese people's ability to adapt to this situation in clever ways".

The New Yorker

Nico was clever to understand the situation quickly and to learn from Lewis".

BBC

"Our coach is very clever - he saw the situation we are in at the moment before it happened". Mourinho has denied reports of a rift between him and certain Chelsea players, saying there are "zero" problems.

BBC

But that extra effort to connect with your child and address the situation with clever words rather than harsh hands will forever positively change them.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a solution to a problem, using the phrase "clever situation" can effectively highlight the ingenuity involved. For instance, "The negotiator created a clever situation that benefited both parties."

Common error

Avoid using "clever situation" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or technical language is expected. Opt for terms like "strategic solution" or "innovative approach" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clever situation" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "clever" modifies the noun "situation". As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase describes a particular scenario characterized by intelligence and ingenuity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clever situation" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes a resourceful or ingenious set of circumstances. According to Ludwig AI the phrase is used across various contexts, including news, academia, and general discourse, although it is most frequent in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the specific context and opt for more formal alternatives like "strategic solution" or "innovative approach" in highly formal or technical settings. Alternatives such as "ingenious scenario" or "smart circumstance" can also be used to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ingenious scenario

Emphasizes the inventiveness and resourcefulness of the situation.

smart circumstance

Highlights the intelligence and well-considered nature of the situation.

astute setup

Focuses on the shrewdness and insightful planning behind the situation.

shrewd predicament

Implies a situation requiring cleverness to navigate successfully.

cunning scheme

Suggests a cleverly devised plan, often with a hint of deception.

witty predicament

Highlights the humor and cleverness inherent in a difficult situation.

brilliant arrangement

Emphasizes the exceptional intelligence and skill involved in creating the situation.

resourceful tactic

Focuses on the ability to effectively use available resources within the situation.

artful strategy

Suggests a skillful and subtle approach to managing the situation.

devious ploy

Implies a clever but potentially underhanded method to address the situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "clever situation" to describe a resourceful or ingenious set of circumstances. For example: "The detective devised a "clever situation" to trap the suspect."

What are some alternatives to "clever situation"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "ingenious scenario", "smart circumstance", or "astute setup" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "clever situation" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "clever situation" might be too informal for some formal contexts. Consider using more precise or technical terms like "strategic solution" or "innovative approach" in such cases.

What makes a situation "clever"?

A "clever situation" typically involves a resourceful, intelligent, or witty approach to resolving a problem or achieving a goal. It often implies a degree of ingenuity or strategic thinking.