that was clever

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was clever" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compliment someone on their intelligence or ingenuity in a particular situation or action. Example: "After hearing her witty response to the question, I couldn't help but say, 'That was clever!'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

And I thought that the people who had made this thing had made something that was clever, and beautiful.

Independent

As a don, Miller distrusted the turn to "theory" introduced by his predecessor, but tolerated anything that was clever.

The Guardian - Books

At a time when most music videos were either primitive or stupid, Jackson made a video that was clever, original, visually opulent and mysterious.

The Guardian - Music

He swapped the drawing pen for a laptop and while touring wrote a book, All the Rage (1998), that was clever, elegant and funny.

The Guardian

The throwback ethos is what first caught my eye, an effort by architect and outfitter that was clever enough to fool me into thinking that this joint must date back to post-WWII times (although I did soon come to my senses and recall that the last time I'd driven by this location, it was an empty lot).

Forbes

Utah Utes vs. Arizona Wildcats - My thinking is that a Ute (an American Indian that was clever enough to integrate horses into their lifestyle when they met the Spanish) would be able to best a Wildcat in a fight so the edge goes to Utah.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The Lego Movie is a $60m£38m8m) advert that's clever, smart and extremely funny.

The Guardian - Film

Anderson produces movies that are clever and cocksure, fragile and flawed, ephemeral and intense.

The Guardian - Film

Kids that are clever enough to bounce back and forwards, who are not self-conscious".

The Guardian - Film

"Clive's genius was for developing products that were clever technology and low cost," Levy said.

The Guardian - Tech

However, as Sir Lawrence argues, guile alone can be overrated, particularly against enemies that are clever as well as strong.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was clever" to express genuine admiration for someone's intelligence or resourcefulness in a specific situation. It's more impactful when followed by a brief explanation of why the action was clever.

Common error

While "that was clever" is perfectly acceptable, it might sound too informal in professional or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "that was an ingenious solution" or "that demonstrated considerable insight" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was clever" functions as an interjection or exclamation, used to express admiration or recognition of someone's intelligence or ingenuity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, often serving as a direct compliment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that was clever" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase for expressing admiration for someone's intelligence. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and appropriateness. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While it is acceptable in many situations, more formal alternatives might be preferred in professional or academic settings, and this is why you can explore options like "that was smart" or "that was ingenious".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was smart

Replaces "clever" with "smart", indicating intelligence or quick-wittedness.

that was ingenious

Substitutes "clever" with "ingenious", suggesting inventiveness and skill.

that was brilliant

Replaces "clever" with "brilliant", emphasizing exceptional intelligence or skill.

that was astute

Substitutes "clever" with "astute", highlighting keen insight and discernment.

that was canny

Replaces "clever" with "canny", suggesting shrewdness and resourcefulness.

that was insightful

Substitutes "clever" with "insightful", emphasizing the depth of understanding displayed.

that was sharp

Replaces "clever" with "sharp", indicating quickness of mind and wit.

that was witty

Substitutes "clever" with "witty", highlighting a clever and humorous remark.

that was slick

Replaces "clever" with "slick", suggesting skillful and efficient execution.

that was a smart move

Expands the phrase to specify that the cleverness was displayed through a particular action or decision.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "that was clever"?

You can use alternatives like "that was smart", "that was ingenious", or "that was brilliant" depending on the context.

Is "that was clever" appropriate in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "that was clever" may be perceived as too informal for academic or professional writing. Consider using more formal alternatives such as "that was insightful" or "that demonstrated ingenuity".

How to use "that was clever" in a sentence?

You can use "that was clever" to express admiration for someone's intelligence or wit. For example: "After she solved the complex puzzle, I remarked, 'That was clever!'"

What's the difference between "that was clever" and "that was smart"?

While both phrases convey admiration for someone's intelligence, "that was clever" often implies a degree of ingenuity or resourcefulness, while "that was smart" is a more general acknowledgement of intelligence.