adequately clear

USAGE SUMMARY

"adequately clear" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is not particularly clear, but is clear enough to understand. For example, "The instructions were not entirely clear, but they were adequately clear for us to complete the task."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The news release, she conceded, was not adequately clear.

The New York Times

Then, fixating on language in the act granting the federal government authority over "navigable waters," he concluded that the legislation lacked an adequately "clear statement" granting the Corps authority over the non-navigable waters in the case.

The New York Times

Leaders of the Juna canceled their procession, instead choosing to bathe at a different spot on the Ganges, and blamed the authorities for failing to adequately clear their route to the river.

The New York Times

With such fearless attacking football and questionable defending on display, it was only a matter of time before someone scored, and the breakthrough came midway through the half, as United again failed to adequately clear a Fábregas cross and the lively Nasri fired low through a crowded area, his shot deflecting past Van der Sar via Neville.

The Guardian - Sport

While much of the focus was on the city's failure to either close or adequately clear Lake Shore Drive, leaving hundreds of motorists stranded, the response to the storm in many wards reopened the long-running question of whether City Hall shortchanges outlying neighborhoods in the allocation of services.

The New York Times

Additionally, in critically ill human patients, autophagy appears insufficiently activated to adequately clear cell damage in skeletal muscle.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Postal authorities insist the facility has been adequately cleared of anthrax spores, and is safe for workers.

The New York Times

Type III hypersensitivity occurs when there is accumulation of immune complexes (antigen antibody complexes) that have not been adequately cleared by innate immune cells, giving rise to an inflammatory response and attraction of leucocytes.

Annals of Intensive Care

If the nerves are not adequately cleared from "behind" the IMA, they can be easily damaged at this point (Fig.  1B).

Annals of Surgical Oncology

If the rinse water runs clear beneath the blender sponge, it should be adequately clean and you can move directly into the drying step.

WikiHow

In general, the government's failure to adequately convey a clear rationale for the measures they were taking gave an impression that decisions were not being based on good reasons.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "adequately clear", consider whether the context requires absolute clarity. If so, rephrase to emphasize precision. If the level of clarity is sufficient for the purpose, "adequately clear" is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "adequately clear" when describing situations demanding absolute precision. For instance, in legal documents or scientific research, aim for unequivocal clarity rather than settling for adequacy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adequately clear" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the degree or extent to which something is clear. It suggests a level of clarity that is sufficient but not necessarily perfect. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase as correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

36%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "adequately clear" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe something that is understandable, albeit not perfectly so. As Ludwig AI points out, this is a versatile phrase that finds application across various contexts, including News & Media and Science, indicating a neutral register. When using this phrase, it is crucial to assess whether the context demands absolute precision or if a sufficient level of understanding suffices. Related phrases include "clear enough" and "sufficiently understandable", offering similar nuances of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clear enough

A more direct and simpler way of expressing the same level of clarity.

adequately defined

Suggests the clarity is achieved through sufficient definition and precision.

sufficiently understandable

Emphasizes the level of comprehension achieved, rather than the clarity of the source itself.

reasonably intelligible

Highlights the capacity to be understood to a satisfactory extent.

passably lucid

Indicates a minimal acceptable level of clarity, with 'lucid' implying ease of understanding.

acceptably unambiguous

Focuses on the lack of multiple interpretations to a satisfactory degree.

satisfactorily transparent

Implies clarity that allows easy perception or understanding, reaching a level that is adequate.

somewhat explicit

Implies clarity achieved through direct and detailed presentation, but to a limited extent.

moderately distinct

Suggests that the clarity comes from a certain degree of separation or definition.

tolerably well-defined

Indicates that the clarity arises from a degree of precision and exactness that is acceptable, though not ideal.

FAQs

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

You can use "adequately clear" to describe something that is understandable but not perfectly clear. For example, "The instructions were "adequately clear" for assembling the furniture, though some steps required a bit of guesswork."

What are some alternatives to "adequately clear"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "clear enough", "sufficiently understandable", or "reasonably intelligible".

Is it better to say "adequately clear" or "perfectly clear"?

The choice depends on the situation. "Perfectly clear" implies complete and total understanding, whereas "adequately clear" suggests a sufficient level of understanding for the given purpose but leaves room for some ambiguity. Choose the phrase that best reflects the actual level of clarity.

When is it not appropriate to use "adequately clear"?

It's not appropriate to use "adequately clear" when describing situations where precision and complete understanding are crucial, such as in legal documents or critical safety instructions. In such cases, aim for unambiguous language.