what a clever idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what a clever idea" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express admiration or approval for someone's suggestion or thought. Example: "After hearing her proposal for the project, I thought to myself, what a clever idea!"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"What a clever idea!

The New York Times

The second thing I thought was: "What a clever idea!" One of the most iconic products in the world has removed the branding on 100 million bottles and cans and replaced it with your name.

Independent

I'm sure John and George would have thought, 'Hey, what  a clever idea.'" Two miles from McCartney's show, the people who made the game are talking it up with pride and amazement.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In 1964, Highsmith retreated to deepest Suffolk, taking on a house in the village of Earl Soham, and this is where Dawson has landed for the focus of what is a clever idea.

The Guardian - Books

The memos revealed that Reckitt executives planned what they described as "a clever idea" to switch from Gaviscon liquid to an almost identical product with a different name.

The Guardian - Business

Now Doris Matsui, California Democratic congresswoman, is describing to us what she thinks is a clever idea: subsidize the Internet so everybody can use it.

Huffington Post

Reuters Media Filee blog had a clever idea about covering the new Kindle Fire from Amazon — see what rating Amazon customers gave it.

The New York Times

What company can boast a sold-out handheld electronic gadget, a transformational business computing platform and a clever idea for the future of TV and movie viewing?

Forbes

Yet it is a clever idea.

The Economist

Instead, he has a clever idea.

The New York Times

It is undoubtedly a clever idea.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing dialogue, "what a clever idea" can effectively portray a character's surprise or appreciation, adding depth to their personality and reactions.

Common error

While "what a clever idea" is a fine expression, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language with synonyms like "brilliant thought" or "ingenious plan" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what a clever idea" functions primarily as an exclamatory expression to convey admiration or approval. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. The provided examples showcase this function in various contexts, from praising a strategic business move to appreciating an innovative artistic concept.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what a clever idea" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to express admiration for someone's ingenuity. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable. It's commonly found in news and media, as well as formal business contexts. While direct and effective, varying your phrasing with alternatives like "that's a smart concept" or "that's an ingenious plan" can prevent repetition. Remember to use it sincerely, and your appreciation will be well-received.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's a smart concept

Replaces "clever" with "smart" and "idea" with "concept", slightly altering the tone.

that's an ingenious plan

Substitutes "clever" with "ingenious" and "idea" with "plan", suggesting a more inventive quality.

what a brilliant thought

Replaces "clever" with "brilliant" and "idea" with "thought", heightening the level of admiration.

that's a remarkable notion

Substitutes "clever" with "remarkable" and "idea" with "notion", conveying a sense of extraordinariness.

how insightful

Shortened expression that focus on the person showing the idea rather than the idea itself

that's a genius move

Replaces "clever" with "genius" and "idea" with "move", emphasizing the strategic nature of the idea.

that's a stroke of inspiration

Substitutes the entire phrase with a more figurative expression suggesting sudden insight.

that's quite innovative

Focuses on the innovative aspect of the idea, implying originality and novelty.

that's a cunning strategy

Replaces "clever" with "cunning" and "idea" with "strategy", suggesting a more strategic and perhaps slightly devious approach.

how resourceful

Expresses admiration for the ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties.

FAQs

How can I use "what a clever idea" in a sentence?

You can use "what a clever idea" to express admiration for a suggestion or plan. For example, "After hearing her proposal, I thought, what a clever idea!"

What's a more formal way to say "what a clever idea"?

For a more formal tone, you could say "that's an "ingenious plan"" or "that's a "brilliant thought"", depending on the context.

Are there any situations where it's inappropriate to say "what a clever idea"?

While generally positive, saying "what a clever idea" might sound sarcastic if the idea is obviously flawed or impractical. Ensure your tone matches your intent.

What can I say instead of "what a clever idea" if I want to emphasize innovation?

If you want to emphasize innovation, consider saying "that's quite "innovative"" or "that's a "groundbreaking concept"".