been clear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been clear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been made understandable or unambiguous in the past. Example: "I hope my previous explanations have been clear enough for everyone to understand the project requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's never been clear.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The history books have never been clear.

The New York Times

But his intentions had been clear.

The Economist

Their role has always been clear.

The New York Times

Yet his position would have been clear.

The New York Times

The lines have not always been clear.

The New York Times

That has been clear since 1996".

The New York Times

"My conscience has always been clear.

The New Yorker

The ultimate objective has never been clear.

The Economist

Maybe I hadn't been clear enough.

The New Yorker

Jack has been clear and disciplined".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "been clear", ensure the subject and context are explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify what has been clear and to whom.

Common error

Avoid using "been clear" without a clear reference point. Always specify what "has been clear" to prevent confusion. For example, instead of "It has been clear", write "The objective has been clear to the team since the beginning."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been clear" functions as part of the predicate in a sentence, indicating a state of being understood or evident. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, this construction is used to assert that information, intentions, or directives have been unambiguous.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "been clear" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression across various domains. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and versatility, highlighting its common usage in news, academic, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clear referencing to avoid ambiguity, and consider alternatives like "been evident" or "been obvious" for nuanced expressions. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

been evident

Emphasizes that something was easily noticed or understood from the beginning.

been obvious

Highlights the lack of ambiguity and ease of understanding.

been apparent

Focuses on something becoming clear over time or through observation.

been understood

Indicates that something has been grasped and comprehended.

been clarified

Suggests that something was made clear through explanation or further information.

been made explicit

Emphasizes that something was expressed directly and unambiguously.

been well-defined

Focuses on the precise and unambiguous nature of a concept or boundary.

been distinctly

Focuses on the distinctness in something.

been transparent

Suggests openness and ease of understanding, often in a figurative sense.

been unambiguous

Emphasizes the lack of any possibility of misinterpretation.

FAQs

How to use "been clear" in a sentence?

Use "been clear" to indicate that something was easily understood or explicitly stated. For example, "The instructions have "been clear" since the beginning of the project".

What can I say instead of "been clear"?

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

What does it mean when something has "been clear"?

When something has "been clear", it signifies that the information, intention, or direction has been easily understood and without ambiguity.

Is it better to say "was clear" or "has been clear"?

The choice depends on the context. "Was clear" refers to a specific point in the past, while "has been clear" implies that something has been understood or evident from a past point until now.