are clear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are clear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is understandable or free from ambiguity. Example: "The instructions provided in the manual are clear, making it easy for users to follow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The costs are clear.

The Economist

Our heads are clear.

The New York Times

They are clear.

The New Yorker

The precedents are clear.

The New York Times

The remedies are clear.

The New York Times

The results are clear.

The New York Times

The risks are clear.

The Economist

Their disadvantages are clear.

The Economist

The footprints are clear.

The New York Times - Sports

The benefits are clear.

The Economist

"The choices are clear.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are clear", ensure the subject of the phrase is well-defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "Things are clear", specify what 'things' refers to, like "The objectives of the project are clear."

Common error

Avoid using "are clear" in contexts where the clarity is subjective or not immediately apparent to the audience. Instead, provide specific details or explanations to support the claim that something is clear. For example, instead of saying "The implications are clear", elaborate on what those implications are.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the phrase "are clear" is to serve as a predicate adjective, describing the state or quality of a subject. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are clear" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is easily understood or free from ambiguity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it's important to ensure the subject is well-defined to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "are evident" or "are obvious" can be used for slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are evident

Emphasizes the visibility or obviousness of something.

are obvious

Highlights that something is easily perceived or understood.

are easily understood

Explicitly states that something is not difficult to comprehend.

are apparent

Suggests that something is easily noticed or understood after some consideration.

are plain

Indicates simplicity and ease of understanding.

are distinct

Focuses on the clarity and separateness of different elements.

are beyond doubt

Stresses the unquestionable nature of something.

are certain

Emphasizes the lack of doubt or ambiguity.

are established

Highlights that something has been confirmed or proven.

are well-defined

Focuses on the precision and explicitness of something.

FAQs

What does "are clear" mean?

The phrase "are clear" means that something is easily understood, evident, or free from ambiguity. It implies that there is no confusion or doubt about the subject being discussed.

What can I say instead of "are clear"?

You can use alternatives like "are evident", "are obvious", or "are apparent" depending on the context.

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

You can use "are clear" to describe various things, such as "The instructions are clear", "The rules are clear", or "The objectives are clear". Make sure the subject you're describing is actually easy to understand or evident.

Which is correct, "the instructions are clear" or "the instructions are clearly"?

"The instructions are clear" is correct. "Clear" is an adjective describing the instructions. Using "clearly" would be an adverb, which is grammatically incorrect in this context. You could say "The instructions are clearly explained" instead.