a clear lesson for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a clear lesson for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something serves as an obvious or important teaching point for someone or a group. Example: "The recent events serve as a clear lesson for all of us about the importance of preparedness in crisis situations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But these data hold a clear lesson for economic policy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

So there is a clear lesson here for drugmakers: Developing medicines isn't enough.

Forbes

Regardless of where the gins came from, the collection offered a clear lesson: making gin is not for amateurs.

The New York Times - Food

In the health sector, for instance, a clear lesson emerged particularly from Sri Lanka and the Maldives that the tsunami response had little impact on underlying chronic trends in nutrition and maternal mortality.

Unicef

That taught me a clear lesson.

The Guardian

For some of Pakistan's generals, Vajpayee's decision seemed to offer a clear lesson: nuclear deterrence works.

The New Yorker

For all Beatty's powerful observations, it's hard to see a clear lesson or message beneath his work.

The New York Times - Books

Decades of bitter experience teach a clear lesson.

The New York Times

The report contains clear lessons for the UK, with chancellor George Osborne due to announce plans for HS3 between Leeds and Manchester on Monday.

The Guardian

Clear lessons for Europe's top trainers from the 30th Breeders' Cup are that it remains a hugely significant and valuable meeting, and also that the turf races in particular are all but there for the taking.

The Guardian - Sport

There are clear lessons for the authorities considering how they should respond to the potential arrival of large numbers of Romanians and Bulgarians.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a clear lesson for", ensure the context provides specific details about what the lesson entails and who it applies to. Clarity in both the lesson and its intended audience enhances the phrase's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a clear lesson for" without specifying the actual lesson or its relevance. Saying "This is a clear lesson for everyone" lacks impact. Instead, state: "This situation is a clear lesson for project managers about the importance of risk assessment".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a clear lesson for" functions as a noun phrase that highlights an easily understandable teaching point derived from an event or experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that something serves as an obvious or important teaching point for someone or a group.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a clear lesson for" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression designed to emphasize an easily understood teaching point from a specific experience. According to Ludwig AI, it serves as an obvious or important teaching point. It functions as a noun phrase with a neutral tone, making it suitable across various contexts. While its usage is widespread, providing specific details about the lesson and its target audience enhances its impact. Consider alternatives like "an obvious lesson for" or "a valuable lesson for" to adjust the nuance. With a solid expert rating and prevalent use in reputable sources, this phrase remains a valuable tool for highlighting instructive moments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an obvious lesson for

Replaces "clear" with "obvious", emphasizing the straightforward nature of the lesson.

a distinct lesson for

Substitutes "clear" with "distinct", highlighting the lesson's unique or well-defined nature.

a valuable lesson for

Replaces "clear" with "valuable", focusing on the importance and worth of the lesson.

a key takeaway for

Shifts the focus to a key point or insight gained, rather than the lesson itself.

an important lesson for

Emphasizes the significance of the lesson, using "important" instead of "clear".

a significant lesson for

Similar to "important", but with a slightly stronger emphasis on the impact of the lesson.

a plain lesson for

Uses "plain" to suggest the lesson is easily understood, similar to "clear".

a direct lesson for

Highlights the straightforward and uncomplicated nature of the lesson.

a straightforward lesson for

Similar to "direct", emphasizing the simplicity and ease of understanding.

an unequivocal lesson for

Replaces "clear" with "unequivocal" meaning it is leaving no doubt.

FAQs

How can I use "a clear lesson for" in a sentence?

Use "a clear lesson for" to highlight an easily understandable and important teaching point derived from an event or situation. For example: "The company's failure to adapt to market changes is "a clear lesson for" all businesses about the need for agility".

What are some alternatives to saying "a clear lesson for"?

You can use phrases like "an obvious lesson for", "a distinct lesson for", or "a key takeaway for" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "a very clear lesson for"?

While not grammatically incorrect, adding "very" to "a clear lesson for" can be redundant since "clear" already implies a high degree of understanding. Consider alternatives like "a striking lesson for" to add emphasis without redundancy.

What's the difference between "a lesson for" and "a clear lesson for"?

"A lesson for" simply indicates that something can be learned. "A clear lesson for" emphasizes that the lesson is easily understood and not open to misinterpretation, ensuring the message is unambiguous.