clear account

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clear account" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a detailed and understandable explanation or description of an event, situation, or process. Example: "The report provided a clear account of the project's progress and the challenges faced along the way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But there is now a fairly clear account.

The New York Times

When questioned, he could not a give a clear account of his onward travel plans.

The Guardian

And I never would have understood what happened at Three Mile Island without your clear account.

The Guardian

to deposit the cash so that one has some form of pure and clear account of it?

Princeton University

THE Houston "Tristan," with Renate Behle as Isolde, gave a clear account of what Mr. Andersen has to offer.

The New York Times - Arts

At a press conference in August, Sir Mervyn gave a clear account of the actual quantity of loans being dispatched.

The Guardian - Business

Forgoing obscure paraphrases, DAmico provides a detailed, clear account and assessment of the tradition from its founding by Husserl and Heidegger to its challenge by Derrida and Foucault.

Stanford University

'...an admirably clear account of Heidegger's relation to the philosophical tradition, and especially of his criticism of Cartesianism' - Richard Rorty, University of Virginia.

Stanford University

Researchers have struggled to obtain a clear account of the evolution of prosocial behaviour despite a great deal of recent effort.

Animal Behaviour

ToM has been studied extensively in children, but there is no clear account of the cognitive basis of ToM in adults.

Trends in Cognitive Sciences

And he gives a clear account of the political and administrative structures of the cathedral chapter where Copernicus was a senior figure.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clear account" when you want to stress how easily something can be understood, rather than its exhaustiveness.

Common error

While "clear account" is versatile, overusing it in formal writing can make your prose sound repetitive. Mix it up with synonyms like "lucid explanation" or "unambiguous description" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear account" functions as a noun phrase, where "clear" modifies "account". It typically serves as a direct object or subject complement, denoting an understandable explanation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

32%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "clear account" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something easily understood. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across news, science, and academic domains. While versatile, consider using synonyms like "lucid explanation" or "straightforward narration" to avoid repetition. Remember, a "clear account" focuses on understandability, making it ideal when clarity is paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lucid explanation

Replaces 'account' with 'explanation', emphasizing clarity and ease of understanding.

unambiguous description

Focuses on the lack of ambiguity in the description.

straightforward narration

Replaces 'account' with 'narration', implying a simple and direct telling of events.

precise detailing

Highlights the accuracy and thoroughness of the information.

comprehensible report

Emphasizes the ease with which the report can be understood.

well-defined explanation

Focuses on the clarity and sharpness of the explanation provided.

articulate presentation

Highlights the skill and clarity in the way the information is presented.

explicit statement

Emphasizes the directness and lack of hidden meaning in the statement.

transparent overview

Focuses on the openness and accessibility of the overview.

plain account

Uses "plain" instead of "clear" to denote simplicity and lack of complexity.

FAQs

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

You can use "clear account" to describe something that is easy to understand and provides a straightforward explanation. For example, "The historian provided a "clear account" of the events leading up to the war."

What can I say instead of "clear account"?

You can use alternatives like "lucid explanation", "unambiguous description", or "straightforward narration" depending on the context.

Is "clear account" formal or informal?

"Clear account" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, for very formal writing, consider using a more sophisticated synonym like "precise detailing" or "well-defined explanation".

What is the difference between "clear account" and "detailed account"?

While both phrases describe an explanation, "clear account" emphasizes understandability and simplicity, while "detailed account" stresses thoroughness and exhaustiveness. A "clear account" may not include every detail, but it will be easy to follow.