clear yes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clear yes" is not standard in written English, but it can be understood in context.
It can be used to express a strong or unequivocal agreement or affirmation. Example: "When asked if she would join the project, her response was a clear yes."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

It's a very clear "yes".

The Guardian

That's a clear yes," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Their answer was a clear yes.

The New York Times

And the answer, so far, is a clear "yes".

The New York Times

And the answer, perhaps surprisingly, is a clear yes.

The New York Times

He then replied with a clear "yes" when asked whether he understood the charges against him.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Newman would ask clear yes-or-no questions to which Jones tried to add context, leading to repeated objections from the lawyer.

Huffington Post

"It's not a clear yes-no answer, because all of those things I think should have been assessed, that's what I'm saying".

Huffington Post

Development, growth and homeostasis of multi-cellular organisms depend on the ability of individual cells to convert noisy, analog signals into clear, yes-or-no cell fate decisions, such as apoptosis, proliferation and differentiation.

BMC Systems Biology

Nurse : Yes… I think euthanasia is really clear… yes you clearly inject somebody away.

BMC Medical Ethics

My excitement soared after glimpsing the clear -- yes clear -- boots on the Ralph Rucci models and the thigh-high boots at BCBG.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clear yes" to emphasize direct and unambiguous agreement or confirmation in both spoken and written communication. It adds a conversational tone while maintaining clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "clear yes" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or sophisticated language is preferred. Opt for alternatives like "unambiguous affirmation" or "explicit consent".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear yes" functions as an affirmative response or agreement. It's used to emphasize the unambiguous nature of the agreement. Ludwig highlights numerous instances of this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clear yes" is a commonly used phrase to express unambiguous agreement or affirmation. While not strictly standard in formal grammar, it's widely understood and accepted in various contexts, particularly in news and media, and carries a neutral to informal register. As Ludwig highlights, the phrase is used to emphasize certainty and remove any ambiguity. When writing, consider the context and audience to decide if a more formal alternative, such as "definite agreement" or "unambiguous affirmation", might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

positive confirmation

A straightforward substitution that keeps the meaning very close to the original.

absolutely yes

Uses "absolutely" for emphasis, conveying a strong and unwavering agreement.

definite agreement

Uses "definite" to emphasize the certainty of the agreement.

affirmative response

A general term for a positive reply or agreement.

certainly yes

Emphasizes certainty alongside affirmation.

unambiguous affirmation

Replaces the more conversational "clear yes" with a more formal and definitive expression.

unequivocal assent

Substitutes common words with more formal synonyms to indicate complete agreement.

categorical affirmation

Indicates a clear and absolute confirmation, leaving no room for doubt.

resounding endorsement

Implies a strong and enthusiastic approval.

explicit consent

Focuses on the expressed agreement, highlighting that it's direct and not implied.

FAQs

What does "clear yes" mean?

The phrase "clear yes" signifies a straightforward and unambiguous agreement or affirmation, leaving no room for doubt or misinterpretation.

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

You can use "clear yes" to express strong agreement, such as, "When asked if she supported the proposal, her answer was a "clear yes".".

What can I say instead of "clear yes"?

You can use alternatives like "definite agreement", "absolutely yes", or "unambiguous affirmation" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "clear yes"?

While not a standard grammatical construction, "clear yes" is widely understood and acceptable in many contexts, particularly in informal settings. Ludwig highlights many real world examples of its usage.