clear to me

USAGE SUMMARY

"clear to me" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to explain that something is obvious or understandable to you, either in a literal sense (e.g. "The answer to the equation is clear to me") or a figurative sense (e.g. "The reason for his behavior is not clear to me").

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not clear to me.

The New Yorker

It looked clear to me.

The New York Times

It's not clear to me".

The New York Times - Books

One thing is very clear to me.

The New York Times

Only two things are clear to me.

The New Yorker

But the arc is clear to me.

The New York Times

The reason soon became clear to me.

The New Yorker

But three things seem clear to me.

The Economist

It was that crystal clear to me.

The New York Times

It is not clear to me.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It is not quite clear to me.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clear to me" to express personal understanding or realization, adding a subjective viewpoint to a statement.

Common error

While acceptable, "clear to me" can sound less professional than alternatives like "it is evident" or "I understand" in formal documents. Opt for a more objective tone to maintain formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear to me" functions as a subjective assessment, indicating personal understanding or realization. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, aligning with examples where it conveys the speaker's perception of clarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Academia

25%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "clear to me" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate personal understanding or realization. Ludwig AI's analysis, along with numerous examples from diverse sources such as The New York Times, The New Yorker and BBC, confirm its versatility and widespread acceptance. While its register is generally neutral, in overly formal contexts, alternatives like "it is evident" or "I understand" may be more appropriate. When using "clear to me", ensure it accurately reflects your personal perspective and aligns with the intended level of formality. Remember, variations like "It became clear to me" can add nuance by emphasizing the process of gaining understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I understand

This is a straightforward alternative indicating comprehension, omitting the personal assessment element.

It's become clear to me

Highlights the process of gaining clarity over time.

I see

A more concise and informal way to express understanding or realization.

I comprehend

A more formal synonym for understanding, suitable for professional or academic contexts.

I now understand

Indicates understanding has been achieved after a period of confusion or lack of awareness.

It's obvious to me

Emphasizes the apparent or evident nature of something.

It's apparent to me

Similar to 'obvious', but can also imply something has become clear over time.

I realize

Indicates a moment of understanding or awareness.

I'm aware

Suggests a state of being informed or conscious of something.

I have come to understand

This indicates a gradual process of understanding, rather than an immediate grasp.

FAQs

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

You can use "clear to me" to express your understanding or realization of something, for example: "It's "clear to me" now why she reacted that way."

What can I say instead of "clear to me"?

You can use alternatives such as "I understand", "I see", or "it's obvious to me", depending on the context.

Is "clear to me" formal or informal?

"Clear to me" is generally considered neutral in formality. While usable in most contexts, more formal alternatives like "it is evident" might be preferred in academic or professional writing.

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

"Clear to me" implies that something has become understandable to you, while "obvious to me" suggests that something is easily perceived or understood. The nuance lies in the process of understanding versus inherent understandability. An alternative to "obvious to me" can be "apparent to me".