To be clear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "To be clear" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that you are making a point or explaining something. For example: "To be clear, I think that we should wait until next week to make a decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

To be clear.

The New York Times

To be clear, I love Twitter.

The New York Times

"To be clear," the post read.

The New York Times

To be clear – we were not asked.

Independent

To be clear, that's no complaint.

The New York Times

To be clear, it wasn't easy.

The New York Times

"To be clear," he adds.

The Guardian

To be clear, this was not Doug O'Neill.

The New York Times

To be clear, that is high praise.

The Guardian - Music

To be clear: it was not.

The Guardian - Opinion

To be clear after training is another.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse of “To be clear” in close proximity; vary your introductory phrases to maintain reader engagement.

Common error

Don't use "To be clear" when the statement that follows is already inherently clear. Overusing it can make your writing sound redundant or condescending.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "To be clear" functions as a discourse marker, specifically an introductory phrase. It's used to signal that the speaker or writer is about to provide a clarification, restatement, or emphasis of a point. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "To be clear" is a common and grammatically correct introductory phrase used to signal a clarification or emphasis. Ludwig AI indicates its proper usage, and it frequently appears in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific contexts. While highly versatile, overuse should be avoided to maintain clarity and engagement. Related phrases offer alternative ways to introduce clarifications, and understanding its proper use can significantly improve communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Let's be clear

Similar, but carries a slightly stronger tone of insistence.

To clarify

More concise and direct.

In other words

Introduces an explanation in simpler terms.

For the avoidance of doubt

More formal and legalistic.

Put another way

Suggests a different perspective or explanation.

Let me rephrase

Indicates a restatement of something already said.

To put it simply

Indicates a simplified explanation.

Specifically

Introduces a more detailed or precise statement.

So that's clear

Used as a concluding remark to ensure understanding.

Just so there is no confusion

More verbose and emphasizes preventing misunderstanding.

FAQs

How can I use "To be clear" in a sentence?

Use "To be clear" at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a clarification or emphasize a key point. For example, "To be clear, I am not in favor of this proposal".

What are some alternatives to "To be clear"?

You can use alternatives like "to clarify", "in other words", or "let's be clear" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to use a comma after "To be clear"?

Yes, it is generally necessary to use a comma after "To be clear" because it functions as an introductory phrase. For example, "To be clear, this is not an official statement."

What is the difference between "To be clear" and "Just to be clear"?

"To be clear" and "just to be clear" are similar, but "just to be clear" often implies a preemptive clarification, anticipating potential confusion.