Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

clear opacity

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clear opacity" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
Opacity refers to the quality of being opaque, which means not allowing light to pass through, so "clear" contradicts that meaning. Example: "The glass had a clear opacity that made it difficult to see through."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

They are born blind, and, even when their eyes open, opacity prevents clear vision for six to eight weeks.

As her article makes clear, the opacity and secrecy of the systems give banks the upper hand and leaves at their whim the market's less pedigreed players.

News & Media

The New York Times

It is becoming clearer that opacity costs money, as untrusting foreign investors demand bigger returns.

News & Media

The Economist

Haus aims to clear up that opacity by showing each offer, with its unique nuances, to both the seller and the other interested buyers.

News & Media

TechCrunch

It seems clear from the opacity of the text that more details of the model variations should be described earlier, in order to make the paper easier to read.

Science

eLife

The inclusion criteria were a minimum age of 18 years, stable refraction for at least 1 year, a clear cornea without opacity, central corneal thickness more than 500 μm, calculated residual stroma more than 250 μm, intraocular pressure (IOP) less than 21 mmHg and no other ocular conditions, except myopic astigmatism.

Corneal endothelium opacity cleared almost completely and no data of intraocular inflammation was found.

Early vitrectomy is reported to be useful for the treatment of posterior uveitis [10] including debridement of the toxins they produce, removal of vitreous membranes, and clearing of vitreous opacity.

The diagnosis of chyluria was confirmed by the ether test, which showed complete clearing of urinary opacity by the addition of ether to her milky urine.

It is important that the digitizer be capable of registering signals over the full range of film opacity from clear to fully black without saturating.

Finally, the tooth was imaged using polarised flashlights to give clear images of enamel opacities without reflections.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing materials or visual conditions, consider the specific degree of light transmission and clarity you wish to convey. Choose adjectives that accurately reflect this.

Common error

Do not combine terms that negate each other. "Clear" implies a lack of obstruction, while "opacity" suggests the opposite. Using them together creates a nonsensical description.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

60%

Authority and reliability

1.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear opacity" attempts to combine an adjective of transparency with a noun indicating the opposite. However, this combination results in a contradictory expression, as noted by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "clear opacity" presents a linguistic challenge due to its contradictory nature. As Ludwig AI points out, the combination of "clear" and "opacity" is inherently flawed, as clarity implies a lack of obstruction, while opacity suggests the opposite. Therefore, it is essential to avoid using this phrase in any context. When attempting to describe something that is neither fully transparent nor fully opaque, opt for alternative phrases like "translucent clarity", "partial transparency", or "hazy visibility", which more accurately convey the intended meaning. Proper use of language ensures clear and effective communication.

FAQs

How can I accurately describe something that is neither fully transparent nor fully opaque?

Use terms like "translucent", "semi-transparent", or "partially opaque" to indicate that some light passes through, but the object is not entirely see-through.

What is the difference between transparency and translucency?

Transparency allows light to pass through with minimal distortion, while translucency allows light to pass through but diffuses it, so objects on the other side are not clearly visible. You could say that translucency creates a "hazy visibility".

Is "clear opacity" ever appropriate to use?

No, "clear opacity" is a contradictory phrase. "Clear" suggests a lack of obstruction to light, while "opacity" means not allowing light to pass through. It is best to avoid this phrase entirely.

What are some visual examples of something with "translucent clarity"?

Examples include frosted glass, certain types of fabric, or a thin layer of fog. These materials allow some light through but do not offer complete visual clarity. Think of the difference between a window (transparent) and a shower door (translucent).

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

60%

Authority and reliability

1.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: