over smart

USAGE SUMMARY

For it.
The phrase "over smart" is not technically grammatically correct in written English. You can, however, use the phrase "too smart" instead. For example: He is too smart for his own good.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

They got the idea for Start Over Smart in Paris.

The New York Times

Filling those theaters is taking the priority over smart programming.

The New York Times

The controversy over "smart" electric meters doesn't want to go away.

University of California, Berkeley

One advantage of Wi-Fi over smart phones can be faster connection speeds.

The New York Times - Tech

It also revealed that students value quality of teaching over smart new facilities.

The Guardian

We need to stop obsessing over "smart" objects, and start thinking smart about people.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Well, that, and Ms. Garofalo's financially foolish decision to choose incisive political commentary over "smart-dumb" comedy.

The New York Times

They then license or swap the patents "essential" to this standard under "fair and reasonable" conditions.Of apps and scrapsNot being used to such a collectivist set-up, Apple refused to pay up, which triggered the first big legal skirmish over smart-phones.

The Economist

NDS will take over smart-card work for the merged company.

Forbes

A. No. 1, I'm looking for street smarts over book smarts, and I'm looking for that in stories and examples of what they've accomplished or have overcome because of their street smarts.

The New York Times

Over-smart costuming does not make for a convincing production.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "over smart" with "too smart" or other alternatives to improve grammatical correctness. While "over smart" appears in various contexts, it is not considered standard English.

Common error

Avoid using "over" in place of "too" when describing an excessive quality. Opt for "too smart" instead of "over smart" to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over smart" functions primarily as a prepositional modifier, describing a state of being excessively intelligent. Ludwig AI states that it's not technically grammatically correct in written English, suggesting it deviates from standard usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "over smart" is used with some frequency, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal written English. Ludwig AI suggests using "too smart" as a more standard alternative. The phrase appears most often in news and media, wiki content, and scientific articles, with a neutral to informal register. When writing, it's best to opt for grammatically correct alternatives to ensure clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

too clever

Implies excessive intelligence used unwisely.

excessively intelligent

Highlights an overabundance of intellect.

overly astute

Suggests an exaggerated level of perception and insight.

pretentious intellect

Denotes intelligence used to impress others.

acting superior

Emphasizes behavior that reflects perceived intellectual dominance.

wiseacre attitude

Indicates a know-it-all demeanor.

smug intelligence

Suggests self-satisfaction derived from one's intelligence.

pompous intellect

Highlights an inflated sense of one's mental capabilities.

ostentatious brilliance

Implies a flamboyant display of intelligence.

affected cleverness

Suggests an artificial or contrived display of intelligence.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say someone is excessively intelligent?

Instead of the less common "over smart", use the more standard phrase "too smart". Other alternatives include "excessively intelligent" or "overly astute".

Is "over smart" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "over smart" is not technically grammatically correct in written English. While it appears in some contexts, it's better to use "too smart".

How can I use "too smart" in a sentence?

You can say, "He is too smart for his own good", indicating that his intelligence might be causing problems for him.

What are some phrases similar to "over smart"?

Similar phrases include "excessively intelligent", "overly astute", or "pretentious intellect", each carrying slightly different connotations related to intelligence.