are clearly not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are clearly not" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a negation or to clarify that something does not meet a certain expectation or standard. Example: "These results are clearly not what we anticipated, indicating a need for further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"They are clearly not seeing.

The Guardian - Books

Prices are clearly not middle-of-nowhere.

The New York Times

Sorry, Oasis are clearly not back.

The Guardian - Music

But the Wildcats are clearly not pushovers.

The New York Times - Sports

House Democrats are clearly not cowed.

The Washington Post

You are clearly not a Googler.

The Guardian - Tech

Playful porn discussions are clearly not wise.

The New York Times - Magazine

They are clearly not," Powell said.

The Guardian

Most kickers are clearly not thrilled, either.

The New York Times - Sports

"They are clearly not suitable for consumption.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

These options are clearly not for everyone.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are clearly not" to express a strong disagreement or to refute a common misconception. This phrase is effective when you need to emphasize the falsity of a statement.

Common error

Avoid using "are clearly not" excessively in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "aren't" or "not" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are clearly not" functions as a strong negator. It serves to emphatically deny a statement or assumption, indicating that something is demonstrably false or incorrect. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used to clarify misunderstandings or correct inaccuracies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

16%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are clearly not" is a commonly used phrase to express strong negation or contradiction. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and found across various contexts, particularly in news, academia, and science. When writing, you can consider alternatives like "are definitely not" or "are certainly not" to emphasize your point, but be mindful of overuse in informal settings. The phrase serves to refute claims, challenge assumptions, or emphasize the falsity of a statement. Given its widespread use, understanding and utilizing this phrase effectively can enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are definitely not

Emphasizes the certainty of the negation.

are certainly not

Similar to 'definitely not', indicating a strong negation.

are absolutely not

Strongly emphasizes the negation, leaving no room for doubt.

are by no means

More formal way of expressing negation.

are not at all

Emphasizes the complete absence of something.

are far from

Indicates a significant distance from a certain state or condition.

are nowhere near

Similar to 'far from', implying a large gap.

do not appear to be

More tentative and observational.

cannot be considered

Expresses that something does not meet certain criteria.

are hardly

Suggests that something is unlikely or barely the case.

FAQs

How can I use "are clearly not" in a sentence?

Use "are clearly not" to strongly negate a statement or assumption. For instance, "These results "are clearly not" satisfactory, and further investigation is required."

What can I say instead of "are clearly not"?

You can use alternatives like "are definitely not", "are certainly not", or "are absolutely not" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "are clearly not" or "are not clearly"?

"Are clearly not" is the more common and emphatic construction. "Are not clearly" is grammatically correct but less forceful and may imply a lack of clarity rather than a direct negation.

What's the difference between "are clearly not" and "are obviously not"?

Both phrases express strong negation, but "are clearly not" emphasizes a lack of conformity to a standard or expectation, while "are obviously not" highlights the ease with which the negation can be recognized. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.