but not clearly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but not clearly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not expressed in a clear or understandable manner. Example: "The instructions were provided, but not clearly, leading to confusion among the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"But not clearly enough," she admits now.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

His answers may have been misleading, but not clearly false.

The New Yorker

CrV1 orthologs are reported in other Cotesia-associated PDVs, but not clearly understood in their physiological functions.

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology

"Keynes saw the fallibility of human beings, but not clearly enough.

The Guardian

All this is well known but not clearly explained by the Orsay show.

The Guardian - Arts

This issue was addressed — but not clearly decided — in a 2006 case involving a Michigan developer, John Rapanos.

The New York Times

What to do with the adolescent who tells you something worrisome but not clearly over the line?

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

The contribution of pathology to toxicity assessment is invaluable but often not clearly understood.

Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology

but was not clearly indicated for M-I.

British Journal of Cancer

But they were not clearly unimodal either.

Plosone

But net benefit is not clearly defined in the law.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but not clearly", ensure that the surrounding context provides enough information to understand what is lacking clarity. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the reader understands your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "but not clearly" as a standalone phrase without explaining what specifically lacks clarity. Always provide additional information to clarify the ambiguity, helping the reader understand the specific issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not clearly" functions as a conjunction phrase, often used to introduce a contrast or limitation to a preceding statement. It indicates that while something may be present or suggested, it lacks sufficient clarity or explicitness. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but not clearly" is a commonly used conjunction phrase that introduces a contrast by indicating a lack of clarity or explicitness. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it's grammatically correct and frequently appears across various domains, including science, news, and encyclopedias. While versatile, it is important to provide sufficient context when using this phrase to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "though somewhat vague" or "however, not distinctly" for greater precision, depending on the context. The phrase is neutral to formal, used to express a reservation or qualification, while the surrounding context is crucial for understanding the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however, not distinctly

Substitutes "clearly" with "distinctly", maintaining a similar meaning.

though somewhat vague

Replaces "but not clearly" with an emphasis on vagueness.

still rather hazy

Uses "hazy" to indicate a lack of clarity.

yet somewhat obscure

Replaces "but not clearly" by focusing on the obscurity of the subject.

although somewhat opaque

Replaces "clearly" with "opaque", indicating a lack of understanding.

however, imprecisely defined

Highlights the imprecise definition of something.

while remaining ambiguous

Emphasizes the ambiguous nature of the subject, differing slightly in focus.

yet not well-defined

Focuses on the lack of a well-defined explanation.

though lacking precision

Focuses on the lack of precision instead of clarity.

even if not transparent

Focuses on the lack of transparency.

FAQs

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

Use "but not clearly" to indicate something is implied or suggested but not explicitly stated. For example, "The instructions were provided, but not clearly, leading to confusion among the team."

What are some alternatives to "but not clearly"?

You can use alternatives like "though somewhat vague", "however, not distinctly", or "yet somewhat obscure" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "but not clearly" or "but not explicitly"?

The choice between "but not clearly" and "but not explicitly" depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "But not clearly" suggests a lack of clarity, while "but not explicitly" indicates something is implied rather than directly stated.

What does it mean when something is described as "but not clearly"?

When something is described as "but not clearly", it means that the information or idea is present but is not expressed in a way that is easy to understand or interpret.