how clever of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how clever of" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express admiration or appreciation for someone's cleverness or ingenuity. Example: "How clever of you to solve that puzzle so quickly!" Alternative expressions include "how smart of," "how ingenious of," and "how bright of."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

How clever of you.

The Guardian

How clever of me to figure that out!

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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

The Guardian - Music

How clever of Jonas, she thinks, to hide him in plain sight.

The New Yorker

But how clever of the historic Mail to get the story before it happened, so to speak.

The Guardian

"She clearly wanted to get back into acting, and how clever of Deborah Warner to see the opportunity," Mr Benedict added.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

But Duncan gave me a few intriguing examples of how clever use of law - and politics - is getting around that problem.

BBC

How clever, then, of the Foundling Museum to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Hogarth's death in 1764 by showing the Rake alongside works by four modern artists inspired by Hogarth's prints.

The Guardian - Arts

But a woman whom I knew read a paper on a novel that I sometimes think of as the runt of my litter -- The Folk of the Air -- and she commented on how clever it was of me to name a Greek woman Athanasia Sioris.

Huffington Post

The Birmingham Post's Jayne Howarth added that the book is "fun to dip in and out of while reading the Potter stories and it illustrates just how clever these pieces of literature are".

Wikipedia

How clever it was of the government to arrange the tax system so that most people get a refund.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how clever of" when you want to express genuine admiration for someone's ingenuity or quick thinking.

Common error

Avoid using "how clever of" sarcastically, as the literal meaning expresses genuine admiration. If sarcasm is intended, ensure the tone is clear to avoid misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how clever of" functions as an exclamatory expression of admiration or recognition of someone's intelligence or ingenuity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how clever of" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for expressing admiration or acknowledging someone's ingenuity. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not exceedingly common, it appears across reputable sources, particularly in News & Media. When using this phrase, make sure that the tone is aligned with what you want to express to avoid misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how smart of

A more straightforward and common way to express admiration for someone's intelligence.

how brilliant of

Implies exceptional intelligence and talent.

how ingenious of

Emphasizes inventiveness and resourcefulness, rather than general cleverness.

that was a clever move by

Highlights the tactical aspect of the clever action.

that was a smart decision by

Highlights the decision-making aspect of the clever action.

what a stroke of genius

Highlights an exceptional and brilliant idea or action.

how astute of

Similar to 'how smart of', but suggests a deeper level of perception and insight.

that was very astute of

Focuses on keen judgment and insightful understanding.

how cunning of

Suggests cleverness mixed with a degree of slyness or deception.

how resourceful of

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

FAQs

How can I use "how clever of" in a sentence?

Use "how clever of" to express admiration for someone's intelligence or ingenuity. For example, "How clever of you to figure out the solution so quickly!"

What phrases are similar to "how clever of"?

Alternatives include "how smart of", "how ingenious of", or "that was a clever move by" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "how clever of"?

Yes, "how clever of" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express admiration.

What's the difference between "how clever of" and "how smart of"?

While both express admiration, "how clever of" might suggest a more specific instance of ingenuity, whereas "how smart of" is a more general acknowledgment of intelligence.