a clear case

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a clear case" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
Example: "The evidence presented by the prosecution makes this a clear case of murder."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

A clear case of compounding the confusion.

The Economist

A clear case of less being more.

The Economist

It's a clear case of fetishism.

The Guardian - Arts

"Apparently it was a clear case".

The Guardian - Sport

It's a clear case of unconscious bias.

The Guardian

It's a clear case of murder.

The Guardian

"It's a clear case of food contamination.

The New York Times - Sports

It was a clear case of ball tampering.

The Guardian - Sport

So there is a clear case to take action.

The Guardian - Opinion

"To me," he added, "it's a clear case of treason".

The New York Times

A clear case of Bostick failing to make it stick.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a clear case" to emphasize the obviousness or lack of ambiguity in a situation. This phrase is effective when you want to highlight that something is easily understood or proven.

Common error

Avoid using "a clear case" when the situation is actually complex or nuanced. Overusing it in such contexts can weaken your argument and make you appear dismissive of valid counterarguments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a clear case" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or object, describing something as being obvious or easily proven. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a clear case" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase that signifies an obvious or easily proven situation. Ludwig AI's analysis, backed by numerous real-world examples, reveals its widespread use across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. While versatile, it's important to use the phrase judiciously, avoiding it in contexts where the situation is actually complex or nuanced. Consider alternatives like "an obvious instance" or "a plain example" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an open-and-shut case

This idiom intensifies the clarity and decisiveness of the situation.

a cut-and-dried situation

Similar to "open-and-shut", this idiom suggests a lack of complexity or ambiguity.

an obvious instance

Replaces "case" with "instance", emphasizing the obvious nature of the situation.

a classic instance

Suggests the situation is a well-known or typical example of something.

a plain example

Substitutes "clear" with "plain" and "case" with "example", indicating simplicity and directness.

a textbook example

Implies the situation perfectly illustrates a concept or principle.

an evident situation

Uses "evident" instead of "clear" and "situation" instead of "case", focusing on the readily apparent nature.

a straightforward matter

Replaces the entire phrase with a more general expression for something easily understood.

an indisputable fact

Shifts the focus from a situation to an undeniable truth.

a sure thing

This idiom indicates a high degree of certainty about an outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "a clear case" in a sentence?

You can use "a clear case" to describe situations where the evidence is compelling and the conclusion is obvious. For example, "The DNA evidence presented at trial made it "a clear case" of guilt".

What are some alternatives to "a clear case"?

Alternatives include "an obvious instance", "a plain example", or "an evident situation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "a clear case"?

No, it is not. Use it judiciously when the evidence overwhelmingly supports a particular conclusion. Avoid using it if there are significant doubts or counterarguments.

What's the difference between "a clear case" and "an open-and-shut case"?

"A clear case" indicates that something is easily understood or proven, while "an open-and-shut case" suggests that the matter is so straightforward that it requires little or no further investigation or discussion.