a clear illustration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a clear illustration" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to provide a specific example or visual representation that effectively explains or clarifies a concept. Example: "The diagram in the report serves as a clear illustration of the process we discussed in the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nonetheless, the next flight offered a clear illustration.

The New York Times

These results provide a clear illustration of the effects of accounting for slip-system interactions.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

It also serves as a clear illustration that the degradation of nature may entail economic losses.

Tourism Management

The global ripple effects of last week's stock market fluctuations were a clear illustration.

The New York Times

That is a clear illustration of what is wrong with Greater Manchester politics".

The Guardian

The successful synthesis of the supertetrahedral framework RWY as a gallium germanium sulphide is a clear illustration of the latter.

Studies in Surface Science and Catalysis

A clear illustration of this was provided earlier this year by yet another scandal involving Nomura, Japan's biggest securities firm.

The Economist

At a recent news conference during the congress, two top officials offered a clear illustration of the problem.

The New York Times

And the problem of dealing with diabetes is a clear illustration of the real issues in health care.

The New York Times

This has been a clear illustration of Mr Obama's preferred way of doing things on the world stage.

The Guardian - Opinion

This article assumes the robotics privacy relationship as a clear illustration of how the technology–society nexus should be regulated in the future.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a clear illustration" when you want to introduce an example that will definitively clarify a concept or situation for your audience. Ensure the example is straightforward and directly relevant to the point you are making.

Common error

Avoid using "a clear illustration" excessively, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like “a vivid example” or “a telling instance”/s/a+telling+instance to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a clear illustration" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or an appositive. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and used to introduce specific examples. The phrase adds emphasis to the clarifying nature of the example.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

39%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a clear illustration" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to introduce a clarifying example. As Ludwig AI confirms, this noun phrase is versatile, fitting into scientific, journalistic, academic, and professional writing. The most authoritative sources employing this phrase include The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Economist. While effective, overusing the phrase can lead to redundancy; writers are encouraged to explore alternatives like "a vivid example" or "a telling instance"/s/a+telling+instance to maintain stylistic variation. It is an effective way to make abstract ideas or complex issues easier to grasp.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a vivid example

Focuses on the striking or memorable nature of the example.

a telling instance

Highlights the revealing or significant aspect of the situation.

an explicit demonstration

Emphasizes the direct and unambiguous nature of the showing.

a striking instance

Emphasizes how remarkable or noticeable the instance is.

an effective portrayal

Focuses on the success of the representation in conveying meaning.

a good depiction

Highlights the quality and accuracy of the representation.

a graphic representation

Stresses the visual or descriptive clarity of the representation.

a prime example

Highlights the example as being the most typical or relevant.

a classic case

Indicates that the example is a well-known or textbook instance.

an exemplary model

Emphasizes the role of the example as a pattern to be followed.

FAQs

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

Use "a clear illustration" to introduce an example that directly supports and clarifies your point. For instance, "The data breach serves as "a clear illustration" of the need for stronger cybersecurity measures."

What are some alternatives to "a clear illustration"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "a vivid example", "a telling instance", or "an explicit demonstration" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it redundant to say "a clear and illustrative illustration"?

Yes, saying "a clear and illustrative illustration" is redundant. The word "illustration" already implies clarity and the act of illustrating, so adding "clear" and "illustrative" is unnecessary.

When is it best to use "a clear illustration" versus "an example"?

"A clear illustration" suggests a more definitive and clarifying example. Use ""a clear illustration"" when the example leaves no room for misinterpretation, whereas "an example" can be used for more general instances.