Cool MateClever vs We all know the smart
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Clever
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
We all know the smart
Top 1,000 (very common)
| Clever | We all know the smart | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈklevə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈklevər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //wiː ɔːl nəʊ ðə smɑːt//🇺🇸 //wi ɔl noʊ ðə smɑrt// |
| Meaning | Smart and good at finding solutions. | We all understand the clever person or thing. |
| Example | She is very clever and always solves the puzzles quickly. | In our project, we all know the smart strategy will lead us to success. |
| 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 | smart decision, smart choice, smart move, smart idea, smart solution |
| 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 '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 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. | Used when referring to intelligence in a friendly or familiar context. Appropriate in conversational settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Clever vs We all know the smart
What's the difference between Clever and We all know the smart?
Clever: Smart and good at finding solutions. We all know the smart: We all understand the clever person or thing.
Can you show an example of each?
Clever: She is very clever and always solves the puzzles quickly. We all know the smart: In our project, we all know the smart strategy will lead us to success.
Can I use Clever and We all know the smart interchangeably?
Not always. Clever 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.