a clear yes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a clear yes" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it in response to a question when you want to indicate a definitive affirmative answer. For example: Q: Are you coming to the party tomorrow night? A: Yes, a clear yes.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

That's a clear yes," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

And the answer, so far, is a clear "yes".

The New York Times

He then replied with a clear "yes" when asked whether he understood the charges against him.

Independent

But by then a new intifada had caught fire, Arafat could not bring himself to answer with a clear yes and the moment passed.

The Economist

The answer is a clear yes in the case of Ivan Klima, who for 40 years has been chronicling the pursuit of happiness across rubble and shifting sands.

The New York Times - Books

For Euan the answer is a clear "yes" because he believes it will be his best guarantee of a free university education.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

But even so, the music industry might be the worse for having aired in court a question to which it has so far preferred to avoid obtaining a clear yes-or-no verdict.

The New York Times

"It's not a clear yes-no answer, because all of those things I think should have been assessed, that's what I'm saying".

Huffington Post

With a California statute granting unauthorized aliens the ability to secure a law license, the answer to the legal question is a very clear "yes".

The Guardian - Opinion

It's a very clear "yes".

The Guardian

"The results were a very clear yes to Prime Minister Netanyahu and Likud to carry on leading.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a clear yes" when you want to emphasize certainty and leave no room for ambiguity in your affirmative response. It's stronger than a simple "yes".

Common error

While "a clear yes" is perfectly acceptable, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations. Simpler responses like "yes", "absolutely", or "sure" may be more appropriate and sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a clear yes" functions as an affirmative response or agreement. It strengthens a simple "yes", indicating certainty and lack of ambiguity. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts, confirming its role as a definitive affirmation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a clear yes" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express strong agreement or affirmation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across a range of contexts. While its frequency is very common, writers should be mindful of overusing it in informal settings where simpler affirmations might be more suitable. Remember to use it when you want to leave no doubt about your positive response, drawing from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian for inspiration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yes, indeed

Adds emphasis to the affirmative, similar in tone to "a clear yes".

a firm affirmative

Substitutes "clear" with "firm", maintaining the sense of certainty and decisiveness.

a definite positive

Uses different adjectives and nouns to convey a strong affirmative response.

a categorical yes

Uses a different adjective to indicate the absence of conditions or exceptions.

without a doubt

Emphasizes the certainty of the affirmative response, focusing on the lack of uncertainty.

a resounding agreement

Emphasizes the strength and unanimity of the agreement.

an unequivocal affirmation

Replaces "a clear yes" with a more formal and emphatic expression of agreement.

most certainly

A more formal adverbial phrase expressing strong agreement.

an unreserved assent

Conveys full and unrestricted agreement, suitable for formal contexts.

absolutely

A single-word response indicating complete agreement, simpler than "a clear yes".

FAQs

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

You can use "a clear yes" to express strong agreement or confirmation. For example, "When asked if she would accept the award, her answer was "a clear yes"".

What are some alternatives to "a clear yes"?

Alternatives include "absolutely", "yes indeed", or "without a doubt", depending on the level of formality and emphasis you wish to convey.

Is "a clear yes" formal or informal?

"A clear yes" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's suitable for professional and news contexts, but may sound a bit emphatic in very casual conversation.

What does it mean to give "a clear yes"?

Giving "a clear yes" means providing an unambiguous and affirmative response, leaving no room for misinterpretation or doubt. It signals strong agreement or confirmation.