clear-cut border

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clear-cut border" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a distinctly defined or easily recognizable boundary between two areas, whether in a physical, metaphorical, or conceptual context. Example: "The clear-cut border between the two countries was marked by a tall fence and a series of signs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

And Mr. Barak, by drawing such a clear-cut border with Lebanon, has enabled Israel to reassert its real strengths there: It can now use its powerful air force, unrestrained; it can hold the Lebanese and Syrian governments responsible, without ambiguity; it now has the backing of the world community for any self-defense along the Lebanon border.

The New York Times

Well, does the term hogwash mean anything to you? Prime Minister Ehud Barak's courageous decision to unilaterally withdraw Israeli forces from Lebanon has, for the first time in 22 years, restored a clear-cut border between Lebanon and Israel, and that will only leave Israel with a tighter fist and a more unified public, ready to protect what is really important.

The New York Times

Behavioral observations were also conducted to further investigate its response to edges in logged forests using foraging locations in relation to the nearest clear-cut border.

Forest Ecology and Management

In order to overcome the limitations described in Section 2, such as uncertain and imprecise information on the system, variables belonging to more than one dimension of sustainability, and the absence of a clear-cut border between the concepts of sustainability and unsustainability, the F-BEM examines a fuzzy representation of the indicators.

European Transport Research Review

The pink and silver one has a clear-cut border.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

This task is, in fact, quite difficult, especially for the rodent cortex, where there are no clear-cut borders for area demarcation.

Plosone

At the cycle 14 transition, Baz-GFP localisation at the future apical cell interfaces became diffuse and then sharpened into clear-cut borders at future apical cell interfaces after ∼10 min into cycle 14 (Fig. 3F; supplementary material Movie 6).

Development (Cambridge)

Marked by a 20-foot strip of clear-cut forest, the border may seem straight as a ruler.

The New York Times

(Not that it's ever that clear-cut in real life; cultural borders are always fuzzy and ill-defined, and every comment thread on your Facebook news feed is arguably its own mayfly-ephemeral mini-community).

TechCrunch

Israelis will only sanction such force and sacrifice for a war of clear-cut self-defense over a defined border".

The New York Times

We have indicated before [ 18], and emphasize again, that with constant human traffic across borders from Middle East, Afghanistan, and India, and the prevalence of HIV in Pakistan on the rise, clear-cut policies on HIV prevention across borders is urgently warranted.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clear-cut border", ensure that the context supports the idea of a definitive and easily recognizable division. Avoid using it in situations where the boundary is fuzzy or ill-defined.

Common error

Avoid applying "clear-cut border" too liberally in metaphorical or abstract contexts where a more nuanced term might be appropriate. Overuse can dilute its impact and suggest an artificial simplicity where complexity exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear-cut border" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "clear-cut" modifies the noun "border". It describes a boundary that is distinct and unambiguous. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "clear-cut border" effectively describes a distinct and unambiguous boundary, as supported by various reputable sources. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While most commonly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, its precise nature makes it suitable for formal writing. For alternative expressions, consider "well-defined boundary" or "distinct demarcation". When using "clear-cut border", ensure the context truly reflects a definitive separation, avoiding overuse in overly abstract situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

well-defined boundary

Replaces 'clear-cut' with 'well-defined', emphasizing the clarity of the boundary.

distinct demarcation

Uses 'distinct demarcation' to highlight a clear separation or distinction.

sharply delineated border

Emphasizes the sharpness and precision of the border using 'sharply delineated'.

unambiguous frontier

Replaces 'border' with 'frontier' and 'clear-cut' with 'unambiguous', stressing the lack of ambiguity.

precise boundary line

Focuses on the accuracy and exactness of the boundary line.

explicit dividing line

Highlights the explicitness of the line that separates two areas.

easily identifiable limit

Shifts focus to the ease with which the limit can be identified.

crisply defined edge

Uses 'crisply defined' to suggest a sharp and neat edge.

well-marked perimeter

Emphasizes that the perimeter is clearly marked and easily recognized.

certain borderline

Implies there is no vagueness or dispute about the borderline.

FAQs

How can I use "clear-cut border" in a sentence?

You can use "clear-cut border" to describe a definitive boundary, such as "The treaty established a "clear-cut border" between the two nations" or "There's no "clear-cut border" between right and wrong in this situation".

What are some alternatives to "clear-cut border"?

Alternatives include "well-defined boundary", "distinct demarcation", or "sharply delineated border", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "clear-cut border" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "clear-cut border" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly when precision and clarity are essential. It effectively communicates the unambiguous nature of a boundary or division. However, ensure it aligns with the overall tone and style of your writing.

In what contexts is "clear-cut border" most commonly used?

"Clear-cut border" is frequently used in contexts involving international relations, environmental management (like describing boundaries in forests), and abstract concepts where a distinct separation needs to be emphasized.