apparently clear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "apparently clear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that seems to be clear or obvious based on the information available, though it may not be definitively so. Example: "The instructions were apparently clear, yet many still had questions about the process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

All apparently clear up when the person gives up kava.

The New York Times - Health

For as Brown has demonstrated, even apparently clear fiscal rules can in fact be fudged.

The Guardian - Opinion

Presidents Clinton and Bush issued secret findings that made apparently clear that such assassinations were not permissible.

The New Yorker

The image told such an apparently clear story that when it hit social media, it went viral.

The New York Times - Magazine

In subsequent discussions, there was little mention of the music's function, despite its apparently clear impact on behaviour.

The Guardian

What was apparently clear to the pianist onstage became almost unintelligible rhythmic and metric blurs to some in the audience.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Apparently clear-cut moral distinctions constantly blur.

The Guardian - Books

And even if we understand the numbers — something as apparently clear-cut as how many books an author sells — they aren't always helpful.

The New York Times

Its heroine – the fortysomething social worker Simran, who shocks her colleagues and family by smoking, drinking and abjectly failing to marry – investigates an apparently clear-cut murder case.

The Guardian - Books

Responsibilities around contraception inevitably merge into responsibilities regarding conception, and suddenly the apparently clear-cut requirement for men to take their fair share of responsibility seems problematic.

The Guardian - Opinion

Klaus Biesenbach, the director of P.S. 1 and the curator of the Abramovic show, which opens March 14 at MoMA, sees even this apparently clear-cut distinction growing increasingly blurred.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "apparently clear" when you want to convey that something seems obvious based on the available information, but you want to leave room for the possibility that it might not be so straightforward upon closer examination. This is particularly useful in scenarios where further investigation is needed or when presenting a balanced perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "apparently clear" when you have definitive proof or concrete evidence. If something is undeniably clear, a more direct phrase like "clearly" or "obviously" is more appropriate. Overusing "apparently clear" can undermine your credibility by suggesting doubt where none exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "apparently clear" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe something that appears to be obvious or easily understood. Ludwig AI examples illustrate its use in various contexts where clarity is presumed but not definitively established.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "apparently clear" is a useful tool for expressing perceived clarity with a hint of uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news and scientific writing. When using this phrase, be mindful of the potential for overstating certainty and ensure that your choice aligns with the level of confidence you wish to convey. Consider alternative phrases like "seemingly evident" or "ostensibly obvious" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ostensibly obvious

Replaces "apparently" with "ostensibly" and "clear" with "obvious", emphasizing a surface-level clarity that may be deceptive.

seemingly evident

Substitutes "apparently" with "seemingly" and "clear" with "evident", highlighting an appearance of clarity based on available evidence.

evidently plain

Replaces "apparently" with "evidently" and "clear" with "plain", stressing an obviousness that is readily apparent.

ostensibly transparent

Changes "clear" to "transparent", emphasizing the ease with which something can be understood or seen through.

superficially obvious

Highlights that the clarity is only on the surface and might not hold true upon closer inspection.

on the face of it, clear

Indicates that something appears clear at first glance, but further investigation may reveal complexities.

outwardly unambiguous

Focuses on the lack of ambiguity from an external perspective, though underlying uncertainties might exist.

to all appearances, clear

Emphasizes that based on current evidence, something seems clear, but this is not necessarily definitive.

by all accounts, clear

Highlights that the clarity is supported by multiple sources or perspectives, but could still be challenged.

putatively obvious

Replaces "apparently" with "putatively", suggesting that the clarity is based on what is believed or assumed, rather than proven fact.

FAQs

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

You can use "apparently clear" to indicate something that seems obvious but might not be entirely so. For example, "The instructions were "apparently clear", but many still struggled to follow them."

What's a good substitute for "apparently clear"?

Alternatives include "seemingly evident", "ostensibly obvious", or "evidently plain" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "apparently clear" or "clearly"?

Use "apparently clear" when you want to suggest that something seems clear, but there's a possibility it's not. Use "clearly" when something is undoubtedly clear and you have supporting evidence.

What's the difference between "apparently clear" and "superficially obvious"?

"Apparently clear" suggests that something seems straightforward based on initial observation. "Superficially obvious" implies that the clarity is only on the surface and might be misleading.