clear-cut

USAGE SUMMARY

"clear-cut" is a widely used and accepted term in written English.
It is used to refer to something that is easily understood or defined. For example: "The solution to the problem was a clear-cut one that everyone agreed on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

A clear-cut case.

The New York Times

It's clear-cut.

Independent

Zimbabwe was clear-cut.

The New Yorker

She wanted clear-cut evidence".

The New York Times

MacArthur demands clear-cut evidence.

The New York Times

It wasn't all clear-cut.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Sometimes it's less clear cut.

The Guardian

"Wales is fairly clear cut.

The Guardian

His answer was clear cut.

The Guardian - Film

The clear cut winner?

TechCrunch

Our results are clear cut.

NeuroImage

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clear-cut" when you want to emphasize that something is not ambiguous and easily understood. This term is effective in simplifying complex situations or instructions.

Common error

Avoid using "clear-cut" to describe subjective opinions or nuanced situations where clarity is inherently difficult to achieve. It's more appropriate for factual, objective matters.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear-cut" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a lack of ambiguity or complexity. It signifies that something is easily understood and definitive, as Ludwig examples show.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clear-cut" functions as an adjective to denote something easily understood and unambiguous. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, particularly in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. While versatile, it's best used in objective scenarios to avoid misapplication. Alternative phrases like "unambiguous" or "straightforward" can provide variety, and understanding common errors, such as overuse in subjective contexts, will enhance writing precision. With its neutral formality, "clear-cut" remains a valuable tool for clarity in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unambiguous

Replaces a multi-word phrase with a single adjective, conveying the same sense of clarity.

easily understood

Focuses on the ease of comprehension rather than the definiteness of the concept.

well-defined

Emphasizes the precision and distinctness of the definition.

straightforward

Indicates simplicity and lack of complications.

unequivocal

Highlights the absence of doubt or ambiguity.

distinct

Stresses the separateness and clarity of the item.

obvious

Suggests that something is easily noticeable or apparent.

patent

Emphasizes the readily visible or obvious nature of something.

self-evident

Highlights that something is clear without needing further proof.

beyond question

Indicates something is undoubtedly true or certain.

FAQs

How to use "clear-cut" in a sentence?

You can use "clear-cut" to describe a situation, decision, or evidence that is unambiguous and easily understood. For example, "The evidence presented was "clear-cut", leaving no room for doubt".

What can I say instead of "clear-cut"?

You can use alternatives like "unambiguous", "straightforward", or "well-defined" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "clear-cut" or "clearly cut"?

"Clear-cut" is generally used as an adjective, meaning definite or obvious. "Clearly cut" refers to the act of cutting something in a clear manner. For instance, "The diamond was "clearly cut" to enhance its brilliance".

What's the difference between "clear-cut" and "obvious"?

"Clear-cut" implies a lack of ambiguity and a definitive nature, while "obvious" simply means easily perceived or understood. A situation can be obvious but still have some level of complexity, whereas a "clear-cut" situation is straightforward and without complications.