Cool MateClever vs He's very smart
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Clever
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
He's very smart
Top 1,000 (very common)
| Clever | He's very smart | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈklevə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈklevər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //hiːz ˈvɛri smɑːt//🇺🇸 //hiz ˈvɛri smɑrt// |
| Meaning | Smart and good at finding solutions. | He is very intelligent. |
| Example | She is very clever and always solves the puzzles quickly. | He's very smart and always knows the right answer in class. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, seem, sound, extremely, fairly, very, at, with, too clever by half, too clever for your own good, be, seem, sound, extremely, fairly, very, at, with, too clever by half, too clever for your own good, be, extremely, fairly, very, be, seem, sound, extremely, fairly, very, at, with, too clever by half, too clever for your own good | very smart student, very smart decision, very smart choice |
| Antonyms | dull, stupid, foolish | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'smart' - 'clever' often implies resourcefulness., Used incorrectly as a noun - remember it’s an adjective., Overused in formal contexts where 'intelligent' might be more suitable. | Confused with 'smart' meaning well-dressed., Using 'smart' incorrectly as a verb., Misplacing the word 'very' in informal speech. |
| Usage notes | Used to describe someone who is intelligent or quick-witted. Can be used positively or negatively depending on context. For example, it's good to be clever in problem-solving, but can imply cunning if used in a different context. | This phrase is often used to compliment someone's intelligence. It is suitable in both formal and informal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Clever vs He's very smart
What's the difference between Clever and He's very smart?
Clever: Smart and good at finding solutions. He's very smart: He is very intelligent.
Can you show an example of each?
Clever: She is very clever and always solves the puzzles quickly. He's very smart: He's very smart and always knows the right answer in class.
Can I use Clever and He's very smart interchangeably?
Not always. Clever and He's very 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.