clear to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clear to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is understandable or evident to someone. Example: "It should be clear to everyone that teamwork is essential for success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Not clear to me.

The New Yorker

That's clear to anyone".

Independent

"It's completely clear to us.

The New York Times

It looked clear to me.

The New York Times

It's not clear to me".

The New York Times - Books

Employers have made it clear to us.

The New York Times

"We make it clear to our authors".

The New York Times - Tech

The future seemed very clear to Mac.

The New Yorker

Some decisions seemed clear to her.

The New York Times

The story now became clear to him.

The New Yorker

Had some go clear to Florida.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clear to", ensure the subject experiencing clarity is explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The instructions were clear to the students" is better than "The instructions were clear."

Common error

Avoid using "clear to" without specifying who understands something. For example, instead of saying "It's clear", specify "It's "clear to me"" or "It's "clear to everyone"" to maintain clarity and avoid misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear to" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, indicating that something is understandable or apparent from a particular perspective. As Ludwig AI shows, it often connects an idea or situation to the person or group for whom it is evident.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "clear to" is a versatile and grammatically correct prepositional phrase that expresses understanding or visibility from a specific point of view. Ludwig AI indicates that it's very common across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to specify who something is "clear to" for enhanced clarity. Alternatives like "obvious to" or "evident to" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey. By understanding its function and usage patterns, you can effectively incorporate "clear to" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obvious to

Emphasizes that something is easily perceived or understood.

evident to

Indicates that something is clearly revealed or apparent.

plain to

Suggests something is simple and easy to understand.

apparent to

Highlights that something is easily noticed or perceived.

understandable to

Focuses on the ease with which something can be grasped or comprehended.

visible to

Relates to the ability to be seen or noticed by someone.

perceptible to

Indicates that something is capable of being noticed or detected.

comprehensible to

Focuses specifically on the ability to fully understand something.

straightforward to

Implies that something is easy to understand and uncomplicated.

certain to

Indicates sureness or conviction about something.

FAQs

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

Use "clear to" to indicate that something is understandable or evident to someone. For example, "The reasons for the decision were "clear to the board"".

What can I say instead of "clear to"?

Alternatives include "obvious to", "evident to", or "plain to", depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to specify who something is "clear to"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the subject enhances clarity. For example, instead of "The solution is clear", it's better to say "The solution is "clear to us"" to avoid ambiguity.

What's the difference between "clear to" and "obvious to"?

"Clear to" suggests something is easily understood, while "obvious to" implies it's easily perceived or recognized. The choice depends on whether you're emphasizing understanding or visibility. For example: "The path was "clear to see"" versus "The answer was "obvious to everyone"".