cleverly

USAGE SUMMARY

'cleverly' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used as an adverb to describe something that is done in a clever way. For example: "The detective cleverly solved the case by piecing together evidence from seemingly unrelated sources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As for the "bunny-boiler" plot, I think this has been quite cleverly handled.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The author has very cleverly hidden clues in the story and let us to solve the mystery as well.

The Guardian

Benfica won 5-3, buthehe goal Puskas scored when Di Stefano cleverly put him through from the halfway line was as good as any of the eight which were scored that night.

The Guardian - Sport

Even Kohli was a tad circumspect at the start and he was cleverly denied the strike at the end.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite the fact that this book scared me almost to death, I would still rate it five stars out of five because it had such a brilliant atmosphere and it was devised so cleverly.

The Guardian

First, he cleverly made the case that "economic credibility", pursued via deficit reduction, was not some abstract goal born of ideological dogma, but one that ensures low interest rates, keeping "people in their homes".

The Guardian - Opinion

"Mrs Thatcher cleverly passed the buck, leaving her husband to reply, and I remember exactly what he said," writes the diplomat.

The Guardian

The First Lady cleverly chose a silk shift dress by Mumbai-born, New York-based designer Naeem Khan, deftly combining a western silhouette with a skirt embellished in exotic silken embroidery that would not have looked out of place on a Rajasthani maharaja.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But there's a twist that cleverly mutes its brashness.

The Guardian

It can be done well, as along Regent Street, where vastly different interiors are cleverly inserted behind regular cream-cake facades.

The Guardian - Arts

England were holding on to a one-point lead when their replacement scrum-half, Stuart Townsend, cleverly kicked to the corner and then deflected a clearing kick by France's right-wing, Alexandre Pilati.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cleverly", ensure the context clearly demonstrates the intelligence or skill involved in the action. This strengthens the impact of your writing and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "cleverly" as a catch-all adverb. Sometimes, more specific adverbs like "intelligently", "skilfully", or "resourcefully" can provide a more nuanced and accurate description of the action.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "cleverly" modifies verbs, indicating that an action is performed in an intelligent or skillful manner. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts to describe how something is done with ingenuity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cleverly" functions as an adverb that enhances verbs by describing the intelligence or skill behind an action. Ludwig AI confirms that it describes something done in a clever way. While it is most frequently found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, it's applicable across various writing styles. To ensure impactful writing, use "cleverly" when the action genuinely showcases intelligence, and consider more specific adverbs for nuanced descriptions. Ludwig's examples and related phrases such as "intelligently", "smartly", and "astutely", offer additional perspectives on how to express ingenuity in different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Intelligently

Focuses more on the mental capacity employed, rather than the method or result.

Smartly

Implies a quick and effective approach, often in a practical sense.

Astutely

Highlights a keen awareness and understanding, leading to a shrewd action.

Ingeniously

Emphasizes inventiveness and originality in the method used.

Shrewdly

Suggests a practical cunning and resourcefulness in achieving a goal.

Artfully

Indicates skill and grace in execution, often with an aesthetic dimension.

Cunningly

Implies a deceptive or manipulative approach, using cleverness for personal gain.

Skillfully

Highlights expertise and proficiency in performing an action.

Deftly

Emphasizes speed and precision in execution, often with a light touch.

Resourcefully

Focuses on the ability to find and use available resources effectively.

FAQs

How can I use "cleverly" in a sentence?

"Cleverly" can modify a verb to describe how an action is performed with intelligence or skill. For example, "She "cleverly" avoided the question" or "He "cleverly" negotiated the deal."

What are some alternatives to using "cleverly" in writing?

Depending on the context, you could use "intelligently", "smartly", "astutely", or "ingeniously" as alternatives to "cleverly".

When is it more appropriate to use "skilfully" instead of "cleverly"?

"Skilfully" is preferred when emphasizing expertise or technical ability, whereas "cleverly" is better suited when highlighting intelligence or ingenuity. For example, a surgeon might operate "skilfully", while a detective might solve a case "cleverly".

How does "cunningly" differ in meaning from "cleverly"?

"Cunningly" implies a degree of deceit or manipulation, suggesting that cleverness is used to achieve a goal through trickery. "Cleverly", on the other hand, is more neutral and doesn't necessarily imply dishonesty. Using "cunningly" suggests a sly approach, which is absent when using "cleverly".