incredibly clever

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incredibly clever" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that demonstrates a high level of intelligence or ingenuity. Example: "Her solution to the problem was incredibly clever, showcasing her deep understanding of the subject."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are incredibly clever, incredibly hard working, really gifted or incredible mimics, incredible wordsmiths, but Jim is a fucking genius.

Vice

It's incredibly clever stuff.

The Guardian - Music

These books are incredibly clever.

The Guardian - Books

It was an incredibly clever picture.

Yale University

But she's incredibly clever and resourceful".

Independent

What an incredibly clever and cutting jibe!

The Telegraph

"I thought: 'This man is incredibly clever.

The New York Times - Arts

"Boris is incredibly clever, but he's also lazy.

Independent

And Cumberbatch, says Miller, is "incredibly clever, incredibly inquisitive.

The Guardian

As silly as Revenge is, it's also incredibly clever.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Or Bernstein — the Sondheim texts are incredibly clever.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a solution or idea, use "incredibly clever" to highlight its ingenuity and effectiveness. This shows appreciation for the thought process behind it.

Common error

While "incredibly clever" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing. Opt for more specific and nuanced descriptions of intelligence or ingenuity to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incredibly clever" functions as an adjectival modifier, intensifying the adjective "clever". It serves to describe something or someone possessing a notable degree of intelligence, ingenuity, or skill. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

16%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "incredibly clever" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjectival phrase that intensifies the adjective "clever", used to describe someone or something with a high degree of intelligence or ingenuity. According to Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Science, though it's most frequently found in news articles. While its neutral register makes it widely applicable, more formal writing may benefit from more specific alternatives such as "exceptionally ingenious" or "remarkably astute". Overall, "incredibly clever" is a versatile and effective way to express admiration for someone's intelligence or ingenuity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceptionally ingenious

Replaces "clever" with "ingenious" and "incredibly" with "exceptionally", emphasizing inventiveness.

remarkably astute

Substitutes "clever" with "astute" and "incredibly" with "remarkably", highlighting keen intelligence.

extraordinarily brilliant

Replaces "clever" with "brilliant" and "incredibly" with "extraordinarily", stressing exceptional intellectual capacity.

unusually sharp-witted

Uses "sharp-witted" instead of "clever" and "unusually" instead of "incredibly", focusing on quick intelligence.

highly intelligent

Offers a more direct and commonly used alternative, emphasizing intelligence over ingenuity.

deceptively smart

Highlights that the person's intelligence might be surprising or not immediately obvious.

ingeniously designed

Focuses on the cleverness of a design rather than a person, using "ingeniously" to convey the high level of cleverness.

supremely resourceful

Emphasizes the ability to find clever ways to overcome difficulties, rather than pure intelligence.

impressively innovative

Highlights the novelty and cleverness of an approach or solution.

masterfully crafted

Emphasizes the skill and cleverness involved in creating something.

FAQs

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

You can use "incredibly clever" to describe a person, idea, or solution that demonstrates a high level of intelligence or ingenuity. For example, "Her solution to the problem was "incredibly clever", showcasing her deep understanding of the subject."

What can I say instead of "incredibly clever"?

You can use alternatives like "exceptionally ingenious", "remarkably astute", or "extraordinarily brilliant" depending on the context.

Is "incredibly clever" a formal or informal expression?

"Incredibly clever" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both informal and many formal contexts. However, in highly formal or academic writing, more precise and nuanced language may be preferred.

What's the difference between "incredibly clever" and "incredibly smart"?

While both phrases indicate a high level of intelligence, "incredibly smart" generally refers to a broad intelligence or knowledge, whereas ""incredibly clever"" emphasizes ingenuity, resourcefulness, or a knack for finding innovative solutions.