clear at a glance

USAGE SUMMARY

"clear at a glance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to convey that something is obvious and easy to understand. For example, "The instructions were clear at a glance, so setting up the device took only a few minutes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

He handled men, not sand; this was clear at a glance.

The New Yorker

A shared sensibility, across time and cultures, is clear at a glance.

The New York Times - Arts

A look around the world and into our own back gardens, perfect for sinking into in our 6in heels, made that clear at a glance.

The Guardian - Books

Consequently, graphs can make the topology of GO terms clear at a glance.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

The changes are clear at a glance and samples are summarized with box Tukey distributions (medians and percentiles) in Figures 2 e) and 2(f).

BioMed Research International

For that matter, a project leader pointed out that the visual nature of the instrument makes the social situation of clients clear at a glance.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Here's an at-a-glance guide.

BBC

Z750a Phone At-A-Glance.

TechCrunch

It is simple and clear and at a glance you immediately know how to use it.

TechCrunch

Because the stacks are visible from the floor of the central hall, the layout of the library is clear to the visitor at a glance, which was one of the goals the Academy's building committee had set for Kahn.

Wikipedia

The logic of Mr. Gore's strategy becomes clearer with a glance at the electoral map.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clear at a glance" to describe user interfaces, data visualizations, or reports where the key information should be immediately understandable without detailed analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "clear at a glance" when describing highly technical or nuanced information that inherently requires in-depth analysis. Misusing it can create a false impression of simplicity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear at a glance" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate how something is perceived or understood. It emphasizes the ease and immediacy of comprehension. Ludwig examples support this, illustrating its use across various domains.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

50%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "clear at a glance" signifies immediate and effortless understanding, often used to describe designs or presentations that are easy to grasp. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It appears most frequently in scientific and news media contexts. While "clear at a glance" is suitable for general use, consider more formal alternatives like "immediately apparent" in academic or highly formal settings. Avoid overusing it in complex contexts where genuine simplicity is lacking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immediately apparent

Focuses on the immediacy and obviousness of the information.

easily understood

Emphasizes the ease with which something can be comprehended.

readily discernible

Highlights the ease of distinguishing or recognizing something.

plainly visible

Emphasizes the visual clarity and lack of ambiguity.

obvious to see

Focuses on the readily apparent nature of something through visual perception.

evident at first sight

Highlights the immediate obviousness upon initial observation.

unmistakable at a glance

Stresses the lack of ambiguity or possibility of error in understanding.

immediately obvious

Emphasizes the instantaneous nature of something becoming apparent.

self-explanatory

Highlights that something doesn't need explanation; it's understood on its own.

instantly comprehensible

Focuses on quick understanding; no delays in grasping the information.

FAQs

What does "clear at a glance" mean?

The phrase "clear at a glance" means that something is immediately obvious or easily understandable upon seeing it. It implies that no further explanation or analysis is needed to grasp the essential information.

How can I use "clear at a glance" in a sentence?

You might say, "The dashboard's design made the key performance indicators "clear at a glance", allowing for quick decision-making." It's used to show that something is easy to understand immediately.

What are some alternatives to "clear at a glance"?

Alternatives include "immediately apparent", "easily understood", or "readily discernible". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "clear at a glance" appropriate for formal writing?

While "clear at a glance" is suitable for many contexts, in very formal or academic writing, you might prefer a more sophisticated alternative like "immediately apparent" or "readily discernible" to maintain a more elevated tone.