cleared up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'cleared up' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to describe a situation that resolves positively. For example: The confusion was finally cleared up when everyone agreed on the same plan.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Those have cleared up.

The New York Times

That needs to be cleared up".

The New Yorker

This mess is easily cleared up.

Independent

The static on the phone cleared up.

The New York Times

She cleared up remaining license issues.

The New York Times - Sports

The details would be cleared up later.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

& clear up this mystery.

The New Yorker

To clear up the confusion.

The New York Times - Sports

We wanted to clear up any confusion.

The New York Times

And it clears up your skin".

The New York Times

Then there's the clearing up.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cleared up" to indicate a positive resolution or clarification of a problem, misunderstanding, or situation. For instance, "The misunderstanding was quickly cleared up after a brief discussion".

Common error

While versatile, "cleared up" can sound informal in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for stronger verbs like "resolved", "clarified", or "rectified" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "cleared up" functions primarily as a resultative verb, indicating the completion of a process that leads to a clearer, more resolved state. It's used in various contexts, as seen in Ludwig, to describe improvements in weather, resolution of misunderstandings, or the healing of medical conditions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Academia

6%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cleared up" is a versatile phrasal verb primarily used to describe the resolution of a problem, clarification of a misunderstanding, or improvement of a condition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. While generally neutral in register, it can be replaced with more formal alternatives like "resolved" or "clarified" in specific contexts. Its frequent occurrence in news and media, along with its presence in science and wiki sources, indicates broad applicability. The semantic range of "cleared up" encompasses both tangible and intangible scenarios, making it a useful addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resolved itself

Focuses on the automatic resolution of a problem, without external intervention.

became clear

Emphasizes the clarification of something that was previously unclear or misunderstood.

sorted itself out

Highlights the self-organizing nature of a resolution, suggesting things fell into place.

was resolved

A passive construction emphasizing that a solution was found, but not necessarily how.

straightened out

Indicates that something was made orderly or correct, often implying prior disarray.

ironed out

Suggests that minor difficulties or disagreements were smoothed over to reach a resolution.

fell into place

Implies a natural or fortunate resolution, where events aligned favorably.

was clarified

Highlights that something was made easier to understand, removing ambiguity.

improved

Focuses on the betterment of a condition or situation, without necessarily resolving a specific issue.

became better

Suggests a general enhancement or positive change, rather than a complete resolution.

FAQs

How can I use "cleared up" in a sentence?

You can use "cleared up" to indicate that something has been resolved, clarified, or improved. For example, "The weather cleared up after the storm", or "The confusion was cleared up after the meeting".

What are some alternatives to "cleared up"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "resolved", "clarified", "improved", or "sorted out".

Is it correct to say "the problem cleared up by itself"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. This implies the problem resolved without external intervention. You could also say "the problem "resolved itself"".

What's the difference between "cleared up" and "cleared away"?

"Cleared up" typically refers to resolving a situation or improving a condition. "Cleared away", on the other hand, generally means to remove something physically, like "The table was cleared away after dinner".