is smart of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is smart of" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely intended to express that someone has shown intelligence or cleverness in a particular action or decision, but the construction is awkward. Example: "It is smart of you to save money for emergencies."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The 19th century produced the West's best fiction; today, readers must look to the developing world.It is smart of Granta, a magazine of new writing, to devote its autumn issue to Pakistan.

The Economist

It is smart of Gucci to align itself both with this elegant event and to support a three-way collaboration — of the Film Foundation, founded by Mr. Scorsese; the Annenberg Foundation; and Lacma — to preserve four films by the 85-year-old French filmmaker Agnès Varda.

The New York Times

Gates is smart, of course, but he was lucky, too, in being in the right industry at the right time and so on.

Forbes

This is smart of Uber, and a win-win since Google Ventures is a huge stakeholder in the transportation startup.

TechCrunch

Doing so is smart, of course, as SSL can prevent hackers and others who may want to snoop on your connection, which is especially a risk on public networks like those at coffee shops or conferences.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"That was smart of Bryan," Bure said.

The New York Times - Sports

"That's smart of him," he whispered to me.

The New Yorker

It's smart of Fat Radish to think as marketers and not just food purveyors".

The New York Times

It was smart of the new designer to take things slowly.

The New York Times

"It was smart of the N.C.A.A. not to accept its invitation to the Lake George meeting.

The New York Times - Sports

Maybe it was smart of Mr. Lagerfeld to avoid the clichés of saris, salwar kameez and splendor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For emphasis, consider alternatives that highlight specific aspects of intelligence, like foresight or astuteness, depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "of" directly after "smart" to describe someone's actions; instead, opt for constructions like "It is smart for someone to do something" or "Someone is smart to do something".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is smart of" attempts to attribute intelligence or cleverness to a specific action or decision made by someone. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrasing is not grammatically correct in standard English. Instead, it serves as an attempt to express approval or recognition of someone's astute behavior.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "is smart of" aims to convey that someone has acted intelligently, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically questionable in standard English. The analysis reveals that it appears infrequently, mostly in news and media and wiki contexts. To maintain grammatical correctness, it's best to opt for alternatives like "is clever of" or "is wise of", or rephrase to say "It was smart of them to...". When writing, be aware that using "is smart of" might be perceived as informal or even incorrect, so choose your wording carefully based on the context and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is clever of

Replaces "smart" with "clever", denoting ingenuity or quick-wittedness.

is wise of

Substitutes "smart" with "wise", indicating good judgement and foresight.

shows good judgment in

Emphasizes the act of displaying sound reasoning.

demonstrates intelligence in

Highlights the exhibition of intellectual capacity.

acts astutely in

Focuses on shrewdness and perspicacity in conduct.

exhibits acumen in

Points to keen insight and sharp understanding.

displays foresight in

Highlights the ability to anticipate future events and plan accordingly.

is canny in

Indicates shrewdness, especially in financial or business matters.

is strategic in

Focuses on a planned and deliberate approach to achieve a specific goal.

is insightful in

Emphasizes the display of deep understanding and perceptiveness.

FAQs

How can I correctly express that someone acted intelligently?

Instead of using the phrase "is smart of", which Ludwig AI identifies as grammatically questionable, consider using alternatives like "is clever of", "is wise of", or constructing your sentence differently, such as "It was smart of them to...".

What are some alternatives to "is smart of" that emphasize foresight?

If you want to highlight the forward-thinking aspect of an action, try phrases like "demonstrates foresight in" or "displays foresight in" instead of "is smart of".

In what contexts is "is smart of" most likely to appear, even if it's not grammatically ideal?

While not grammatically preferred, "is smart of" might be found in informal contexts or quick, conversational writing. For more formal writing, it's advisable to choose a more standard construction.

How can I rephrase "is smart of" to focus on someone's judgment?

To emphasize good judgment, replace "is smart of" with phrases such as "shows good judgment in". This clearly communicates the idea of sound decision-making.