gets creative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gets creative" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone who is using their imagination or originality to come up with new ideas or solutions. Example: "When faced with a challenging problem, she always gets creative and finds innovative ways to tackle it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

He "gets creative".

The New Yorker

Unless somebody gets creative.

The New York Times

When Mr. Besh gets creative, he can really click.

The New York Times - Food

Sometimes a security agent gets creative and draws a smiley face.

The New York Times

Sushi also gets creative with crispy wagyu and truffle, and grilled lobster with avocado.

The New York Times - Food

In my experience, a composer most often gets creative energy from working with performers.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Others are getting creative.

The Economist

Instead, she got creative.

The New York Times

Getting creative enough.

The New York Times - Sports

9. Get creative with campaigning.

The Guardian

One tenant got creative.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process, use "gets creative" to highlight moments where ingenuity or originality is particularly evident. This helps emphasize the dynamic nature of the creative process.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "gets creative" when more descriptive verbs would provide greater clarity. Instead of saying 'The designer gets creative', specify the actions: 'The designer experiments with unexpected color combinations'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gets creative" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of becoming imaginative or resourceful. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gets creative" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe the act of becoming imaginative or resourceful. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it frequently appears in News & Media sources and generally holds a neutral register. When writing, it's important to use "gets creative" to highlight imaginative problem-solving, while avoiding overuse as a replacement for more descriptive and specific verbs. Related phrases include "becomes inventive" and "starts innovating". While the expression is versatile, context and audience should be considered in order to decide whether a more specific term is warranted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

becomes inventive

Focuses on the act of starting to be inventive.

starts innovating

Emphasizes the initiation of innovative actions.

begins designing

Highlights the commencement of designing something.

devised a plan

Implies creating a strategy or scheme.

finds innovative solutions

Focuses on discovering new and effective solutions.

employs imagination

Stresses the use of imagination.

uses ingenuity

Highlights the application of cleverness and resourcefulness.

thinks laterally

Indicates a non-conventional approach to problem-solving.

comes up with novel ideas

Focuses on generating new and original ideas.

crafts unique approaches

Implies creating distinctive methods or techniques.

FAQs

How can I use "gets creative" in a sentence?

You can use "gets creative" to describe someone's approach to solving a problem or generating ideas. For example, "When faced with budget constraints, the marketing team "gets creative" with low-cost advertising strategies."

What are some alternatives to "gets creative"?

Alternatives include "becomes inventive", "starts innovating", or "uses ingenuity", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "gets creative" or "is creative"?

"Gets creative" implies a dynamic action or process, suggesting someone is actively using their creativity at a particular moment. "Is creative" describes a more general, inherent quality. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight a specific instance of creative problem-solving or a general trait.

When is it appropriate to use "gets creative" in professional writing?

It's appropriate to use "gets creative" in professional writing when you want to emphasize someone's ability to think outside the box and find innovative solutions, especially when faced with challenges or limitations. However, always ensure the context isn't overly formal, where more specific language might be preferred.