clear allusion

USAGE SUMMARY

"clear allusion" is a correct and usable term in written English.
You might use it to refer to a reference to a person, place, or thing that is easily recognizable to readers. For example, "The artist's work makes a clear allusion to the works of Picasso."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

It was a clear allusion to a prejudice that dared not speak its name.

The New Yorker

It boasts as much, even warning that France and "French-speakers" – a clear allusion to Algeria's ruling military-bourgeois elite – must expect to be attacked.

Independent

"You want to hang him from an oak tree?" Black leaders pounced on Senator Bruno's comment, saying it was a clear allusion to lynching.

The New York Times

Still, the ballet's premiere over the weekend at the Academy of Music here opened with an unexpected scene: a clear allusion to a Degas ballet painting.

The New York Times - Arts

Unable to realise his ambition, the Emperor agrees to die if Death resumes his work, which he does as the quartet reassembles, stripped to their underwear in a clear allusion to Auschwitz.

Independent

Levitsky portrayed Demidov in the open gallery of an exquisite palace, leaning elegantly on a watering can and pointing at some potted plants, in a clear allusion to the subject's passion for both botany and philosophy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

There's a bit of Gertrude from "Hamlet," along with fairly clear allusions to the story of Romeo and Juliet.

The New York Times - Arts

Despite its clear allusions to Shakur, the new production is a "non-biographical story about friendship, family, revenge, change and hope," according to the press notes.

The Guardian - Music

This Henry V is played on an often largely bare thrust stage so that Oliver Ford Davies's fine, consciously schoolmasterly Chorus doesn't sound as if he's talking through his hat with those clear allusions to the Globe.

Independent

There are clear allusions to the onset of the slave trade, but the tale's origins lie, Okri says, in the myth of an ancestor who is captured or disappears, which he likens to the Pied Piper of European lore.

The Guardian - Books

Also... Michael Haneke's distressing Funny Games (released in Europe in 1997 and again, in a diluted shot-by-shot US remake by the same director, in 2008) and Barbet Schroeder's Murder By Numbers (2002) carry clear allusions to Leopold and Loeb.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "clear allusion", ensure that the reference is easily recognizable to your target audience. If the allusion is too obscure, it may be lost on your readers.

Common error

Avoid using "clear allusion" when the reference is already blatantly obvious. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound redundant or condescending.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear allusion" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "clear" modifies the noun "allusion". According to Ludwig AI, this indicates a readily apparent or easily understood reference. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts to highlight obvious connections or references.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clear allusion" is a commonly used phrase to describe an easily recognizable reference. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability across various contexts, predominantly in news, encyclopedias and wiki. When employing this phrase, ensure the reference is indeed apparent to your intended audience to avoid confusion. Alternatives like "obvious reference" or "explicit reference" can be used for stylistic variation. Be mindful of overusing the phrase when the reference is already overtly stated. Overall, "clear allusion" serves as a valuable tool for highlighting and emphasizing obvious connections in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obvious reference

Replaces "allusion" with "reference", emphasizing directness.

explicit reference

Substitutes "clear" with "explicit" for a more forceful expression.

readily apparent reference

Adds "readily apparent" for emphasis, making it even more obvious.

evident connection

Uses "connection" instead of "allusion", highlighting the link between ideas.

unmistakable implication

Emphasizes the indirect suggestion rather than a direct reference.

easily understood reference

Focuses on the ease of understanding the reference.

apparent hint

Softens the reference to a "hint", suggesting subtlety.

plain suggestion

Uses "suggestion" to indicate a less direct form of referencing.

obvious insinuation

Uses "insinuation" to imply a subtle or indirect suggestion.

transparent implication

Replaces "clear" with "transparent" to convey easy understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "clear allusion" to describe a reference that is easily understood. For example, "The author made a "clear allusion" to Shakespeare's Hamlet in the opening scene."

What are some alternatives to "clear allusion"?

Alternatives to "clear allusion" include "obvious reference", "explicit reference", or "evident connection", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "clear allusion" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "clear allusion" when you want to highlight a reference that is easily recognizable and relevant to the topic at hand. If the allusion is too obscure, consider providing additional context or choosing a more direct reference.

What is the difference between "clear allusion" and "vague allusion"?

A "clear allusion" is easily understood and recognized, while a "vague allusion" is obscure and may not be readily apparent to the audience. Use "clear allusion" when the reference is obvious and intended to be easily understood.