Cool MateClever vs Pretty smart
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Clever
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
Pretty smart
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: CleverMost common: Clever
| Clever | Pretty smart | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈklevə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈklevər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈprɪti smɑːt//🇺🇸 //ˈprɪti smɑrt// |
| Meaning | Smart and good at finding solutions. | Very intelligent or clever. |
| Example | She is very clever and always solves the puzzles quickly. | She's not just smart; she's pretty smart when it comes to math. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly 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 | pretty smart idea, pretty smart decision, pretty smart move |
| 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. | Confusing with 'pretty' as just 'difficult' instead of 'very', Using in overly formal situations, Misplacing 'smart' meaning it's only book-smart |
| 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. | Commonly used in informal contexts to compliment someone's intelligence. Avoid in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Clever vs Pretty smart
What's the difference between Clever and Pretty smart?
Clever: Smart and good at finding solutions. Pretty smart: Very intelligent or clever.
Which is more formal: Clever and Pretty smart?
Clever is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Clever and Pretty smart?
Clever is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Clever: She is very clever and always solves the puzzles quickly. Pretty smart: She's not just smart; she's pretty smart when it comes to math.
Can I use Clever and Pretty smart interchangeably?
Not always. Clever and Pretty 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.