very clever

USAGE SUMMARY

"very clever" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express admiration for someone's intelligence or skills when they do something difficult or impressive. For example, "That was a very clever solution to the problem!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Very clever.

Yale University

He's very clever.

The New Yorker

"They're very clever.

Independent

It's all very clever".

The New York Times - Books

It's very clever".

The New Yorker

Very clever, VS.

Independent

That's very clever.

Independent

Very clever, Mr. Dobbin.

The New York Times

Very clever #Dismaland.

Independent

"Very clever, very funny.

The New York Times

Very clever wife.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very clever" to acknowledge someone's ingenuity in solving a problem or devising a plan. It's best used when the cleverness is evident and impressive.

Common error

While generally acceptable, "very clever" can sound informal in highly professional or academic settings. Consider using more sophisticated synonyms like "astute" or "ingenious" to maintain a formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very clever" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun (person, idea, solution, etc.). It expresses admiration for someone's intelligence, ingenuity, or skill. Examples from Ludwig show it used to praise solutions, strategies, and even animals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very clever" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for praising someone's intelligence or ingenuity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is perfectly acceptable in written English. It appears most often in News & Media and Academia, with a neutral to informal tone. While versatile, writers should consider more formal synonyms in professional or scientific settings. Remember to acknowledge evident and impressive ingenuity when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceptionally astute

Replaces "clever" with "astute", indicating keen intelligence and discernment.

remarkably ingenious

Substitutes "clever" with "ingenious", emphasizing inventiveness and resourcefulness.

extremely sharp-witted

Replaces "clever" with "sharp-witted", highlighting quickness of intellect.

particularly brilliant

Uses "brilliant" instead of "clever", focusing on exceptional intellectual ability.

impressively shrewd

Replaces "clever" with "shrewd", emphasizing astuteness in practical affairs.

highly resourceful

Shifts focus to resourcefulness, implying cleverness in finding solutions.

notably perceptive

Substitutes "clever" with "perceptive", stressing the ability to understand things quickly.

decidedly ingenious

Highlights ingenuity as a form of cleverness, implying inventiveness.

strikingly sharp

Emphasizes sharpness of mind as a key aspect of cleverness.

incredibly canny

Replaces "clever" with "canny", focusing on shrewdness and good judgment.

FAQs

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

You can use "very clever" to describe someone's intelligence or skill, as in, "That was a "very clever" solution to the problem."

What are some alternatives to saying "very clever"?

Alternatives include "exceptionally astute", "remarkably ingenious", or "extremely sharp-witted", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "very clever" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "very clever" may sound informal. In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "highly resourceful" or "notably perceptive".

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

"Very smart" generally refers to overall intelligence, while "very clever" often implies ingenuity or skill in a specific situation. Someone can be "very smart" without necessarily being "very clever" in a practical sense.