Intelligent vs We all know the smart

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Intelligent

Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective

We all know the smart

Top 1,000 (very common)
 IntelligentWe all know the smart
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈtelɪdʒənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈtelɪdʒənt/"]/🇬🇧 //wiː ɔːl nəʊ ðə smɑːt//🇺🇸 //wi ɔl noʊ ðə smɑrt//
MeaningSmart or able to think well.We all understand the clever person or thing.
ExampleThe intelligent student quickly solved the math problem.In our project, we all know the smart strategy will lead us to success.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 1,000 (very common)Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR levelA2-
Part of speechadjective
Collocationsbe, look, seem, extremely, fairly, verysmart decision, smart choice, smart move, smart idea, smart solution
Antonymsunintelligent, stupid, dull-
Common mistakesConfused with 'intellect' which refers more to reasoning ability., Mistakenly using as a noun instead of an adjective (e.g., 'an intelligent' instead of 'an intelligent person').Confusing 'smart' with 'intelligent' - they are similar but have different nuances., Using it with inappropriate contexts, like formal written texts., Not considering the tone of the conversation when saying this phrase.
Usage notesUse 'intelligent' to describe someone who has a high ability to learn or understand. It’s generally positive and can apply in both formal and informal contexts. Avoid using it sarcastically.Used when referring to intelligence in a friendly or familiar context. Appropriate in conversational settings.

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Intelligent
We all know the smart

Frequently asked questions: Intelligent vs We all know the smart

What's the difference between Intelligent and We all know the smart?

Intelligent: Smart or able to think well. We all know the smart: We all understand the clever person or thing.

Can you show an example of each?

Intelligent: The intelligent student quickly solved the math problem. We all know the smart: In our project, we all know the smart strategy will lead us to success.

Can I use Intelligent and We all know the smart interchangeably?

Not always. Intelligent and We all know the smart are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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