be clearly heard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'be clearly heard' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the audible clarity of something, such as a voice or other sound. For example: "The speaker's voice could be clearly heard throughout the auditorium."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

He can be clearly heard shouting in English: "Wake up, wake up … we're not amateurs.

The Guardian - Sport

Once, his voice could be clearly heard saying, "Capriati shakes her head".

The New York Times - Sports

We may tell it not in Gath, and publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon, yet that still, small voice will be clearly heard.

The New York Times - Arts

However, Mr Kraemer still had his microphone on when he made the comment, which could be clearly heard as the programme finished.

Independent

The tone, full of Mediterranean warmth, was produced in a forward manner that allowed all his words to be clearly heard.

The Guardian - Music

Comparisons have been made to F Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece The Great Gatsby, and the poignant echo of that book can be clearly heard in a number of passages.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

When she spoke barely above a whisper, her voice was clearly heard on stage.

The New York Times

An underwater rendition of the Russian national anthem was clearly heard by persons inside ships in the harbour.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Howard's message was loud, and on Thursday he will find out if it was clearly heard.

The New York Times - Sports

The Orlando singers were models of focused intonation and textural transparency: Every line was clearly heard, yet the blend was solid and rich.

The New York Times - Arts

At one point, unaware that her mic was live, she was clearly heard to call one campaigner "a bit of a knob".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be clearly heard", ensure the context specifies what is being heard and under what circumstances. For instance, 'The announcement could be clearly heard over the noise of the crowd'.

Common error

Avoid using "be clearly heard" when an active voice construction is more appropriate. For example, instead of 'The speaker was clearly heard by the audience', consider 'The audience clearly heard the speaker'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be clearly heard" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something is receiving the action of being heard. Ludwig examples show its frequent use in describing the audibility of voices, sounds, or messages in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

14%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be clearly heard" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to describe the audibility of sounds, voices, or messages. As noted by Ludwig, it's widely used across various contexts, from news reports to scientific articles. Its register is generally neutral, suitable for diverse audiences. When using "be clearly heard", make sure that you are describing the context of the sound and avoid active voice construction if they are not appropriate. Consider alternatives like "be distinctly audible" or "come across clearly" to emphasize audibility or understanding. This ensures your message is not only heard but also effectively understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be distinctly audible

Focuses more on the audibility of something, emphasizing its distinct sound.

be plainly audible

Similar to 'be distinctly audible', highlighting the easiness of hearing something.

be easily heard

Emphasizes the ease with which something can be heard.

be readily heard

Suggests that something is heard without difficulty or delay.

be well heard

Implies that something is heard completely and effectively.

resonate clearly

Focuses on the impact or effect of the sound or message.

come across clearly

Refers to the clarity of understanding a message, not just hearing it.

be easily understood

Focuses on comprehensibility rather than audibility.

make oneself heard

This is an active construction, rather than passive, changing the emphasis to the speaker's effort.

be hard to miss

Suggests that something is so prominent it's almost guaranteed to be heard or noticed.

FAQs

How can I use "be clearly heard" in a sentence?

Use "be clearly heard" to describe that a sound or message is easily audible. For example, "His voice could "be clearly heard" despite the distance".

What's a more active way to express the same idea as "be clearly heard"?

Instead of "be clearly heard", consider using "resonate clearly" or "come across clearly" to emphasize the impact or understanding of the message.

When is it more appropriate to use "be easily understood" instead of "be clearly heard"?

"Be easily understood" is better when focusing on the comprehensibility of a message, whereas "be clearly heard" emphasizes audibility. For example, "The instructions need to "be easily understood", not just "be clearly heard"".

What alternatives emphasize the ease of hearing something similar to "be clearly heard"?

Alternatives include "be plainly audible", "be easily heard", or "be readily heard", which all highlight how effortlessly something can be heard.