Cool MateThat's a good one vs That's clever
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
That's a good one
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
That's clever
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: That's cleverMost common: That's clever
| That's a good one | That's clever | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ðæts ə ɡʊd wʌn//🇺🇸 //ðæts ə ɡʊd wʌn// | 🇬🇧 //ðæts ˈklɛvə//🇺🇸 //ðæts ˈklɛvɚ// |
| Meaning | That's funny or clever. | That is smart or quick-witted. |
| Example | When he said he could juggle knives, I said, 'That's a good one!' | When she solved the puzzle quickly, I said, 'That's clever!' |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | that's a good joke, that's a good point, that's a good idea | That's really clever, I think that's clever, What a clever idea |
| Antonyms | That's a bad one, That's a poor one, That's a terrible one | - |
| Common mistakes | Using it in formal situations where humor isn't appropriate., Confusing with 'that's a good idea' which is more serious., Incorrectly using it to respond to serious statements. | Used too seriously in formal situations., Confusing it with sarcasm when not intended., Using it inappropriately when the situation is serious. |
| Usage notes | Use this phrase when someone makes a joke or a clever remark. It's informal and best in casual settings. | Use this phrase to compliment someone's intelligence or creativity, typically in informal situations. It might not be suitable in very formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: That's a good one vs That's clever
What's the difference between That's a good one and That's clever?
That's a good one: That's funny or clever. That's clever: That is smart or quick-witted.
Which is more formal: That's a good one and That's clever?
That's clever is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: That's a good one and That's clever?
That's clever is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
That's a good one: When he said he could juggle knives, I said, 'That's a good one!' That's clever: When she solved the puzzle quickly, I said, 'That's clever!'
Can I use That's a good one and That's clever interchangeably?
Not always. That's a good one and That's clever 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.