Cool MateClever vs You are a proper genius
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Clever
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
You are a proper genius
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: CleverMost common: Clever
| Clever | You are a proper genius | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈklevə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈklevər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //jʊ ɑːr ə ˈprɒpə ˈdʒiːniəs//🇺🇸 //jʊ ɑr ə ˈprɑːpər ˈdʒiːniəs// |
| Meaning | Smart and good at finding solutions. | You are very smart. |
| Example | She is very clever and always solves the puzzles quickly. | You are a proper genius when it comes to solving math problems. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| 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 | proper understanding, proper respect, proper explanation, proper planning, proper credit |
| 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 'proper' as a negative term., Overusing 'genius' for less impressive intelligence., Mispronouncing 'proper' as pro-per instead of prop-er. |
| 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 in relaxed contexts to praise someone's intelligence or cleverness, often in a light-hearted or humorous way. Not typically used in formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Clever vs You are a proper genius
What's the difference between Clever and You are a proper genius?
Clever: Smart and good at finding solutions. You are a proper genius: You are very smart.
Which is more formal: Clever and You are a proper genius?
Clever is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Clever and You are a proper genius?
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. You are a proper genius: You are a proper genius when it comes to solving math problems.
Can I use Clever and You are a proper genius interchangeably?
Not always. Clever and You are a proper genius 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.