Cool MateClever vs Very good at general knowledge
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Clever
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
Very good at general knowledge
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Clever
| Clever | Very good at general knowledge | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈklevə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈklevər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈvɛri ɡʊd æt ˈdʒɛnərəl ˈnɒlɪdʒ//🇺🇸 //ˈvɛri ɡʊd æt ˈdʒɛnərəl ˈnɑlɪdʒ// |
| Meaning | Smart and good at finding solutions. | Really smart about many different topics. |
| Example | She is very clever and always solves the puzzles quickly. | She is very good at general knowledge quizzes, often winning the trivia night. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (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 good at trivia, very good at remembering facts, very good at answering questions, very good at tests, very good at quizzes |
| 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. | Saying 'very good in' instead of 'very good at'., Confusing 'general knowledge' with specific knowledge., 'Very well at' is incorrect; it should be 'very good at'. |
| 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. | Use in informal and formal contexts; suitable for describing someone's knowledge level. Avoid using it in overly casual settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Clever vs Very good at general knowledge
What's the difference between Clever and Very good at general knowledge?
Clever: Smart and good at finding solutions. Very good at general knowledge: Really smart about many different topics.
Which is more common: Clever and Very good at general knowledge?
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. Very good at general knowledge: She is very good at general knowledge quizzes, often winning the trivia night.
Can I use Clever and Very good at general knowledge interchangeably?
Not always. Clever and Very good at general knowledge 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.