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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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clearly am

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clearly am" is not correct and does not convey a complete thought in written English.
It may be used in contexts where someone is emphasizing their state of being or understanding, but it typically requires additional context to be meaningful. Example: "I clearly am not the right person for this job."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

I NEVER thought I'd say this, but I clearly am not watching enough Fox News.

News & Media

The Economist

But my biggest complaint about lemonade stands, if I'm honest with myself, is that I'm sick of feeling bad about being the killjoy I clearly am.

News & Media

The New York Times

At this point I weigh maybe 35 pounds, can only reach as high as his hips, so I clearly am doing no damage.

Here's the irony: I clearly am not the first man they met and there have been men they met who the woman thought provided that instant chemistry.

News & Media

The New York Times

"If I have no intent, if I show no intent, if I clearly am not a racist, then how can 'nigger' be bad coming out of my mouth?" asked Allen.

News & Media

The Guardian

What worries me more than irradiation is how desperate I clearly am to distract myself from the frightening journey from wakefulness to slumber.

News & Media

Huffington Post
Show more...

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

But there clearly is.

News & Media

The Economist

"That clearly is discrimination".

News & Media

Independent

Dorothy clearly was incapacitated.

News & Media

The New York Times

They clearly were not.

News & Media

The New York Times

This, clearly, is unobjectionable.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clearly" to modify a verb, ensure it's placed correctly as an adverb. Use "I am clearly" instead of "I clearly am" to maintain correct grammar.

Common error

Avoid placing adverbs like "clearly" between the pronoun and the verb. The correct structure is to place the adverb after the verb "to be" to ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

94%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clearly am" in isolation does not perform a standard grammatical function. It requires additional context to form a complete thought. Typically, it is part of a longer sentence where 'clearly' modifies the verb, but the word order is incorrect. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is incomplete without additional context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "clearly am" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI suggests that it may be used in informal contexts, but requires additional context to be meaningful. The correct phrasing is usually "I am clearly". While examples can be found in various sources, particularly in News & Media and Academia, it's best to avoid this phrasing in formal writing. Alternatives such as "I am obviously" or "It is clear that I am" provide grammatically sound ways to express similar meanings.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "clearly am"?

The phrase "clearly am" is grammatically incorrect. The correct word order is "I am clearly" or "it is clear that I am". For example, instead of saying "I clearly am not the right person", say "I am clearly not the right person".

What does it mean when someone says "I am clearly"?

Saying "I am clearly" is a way to emphasize that something is obvious or evident about oneself. For instance, "I am clearly tired" means it's obvious that the person is feeling tired.

What are some alternatives to saying "I am clearly"?

Alternatives to "I am clearly" include phrases like "I am obviously", "I am evidently", or "it's clear that I am". You can also use stronger expressions like "I am undoubtedly" or "I am certainly".

Is there a difference between "I clearly am" and "I am clearly"?

Yes, "I am clearly" is grammatically correct, while "I clearly am" is not. The adverb "clearly" should be placed after the verb "to be". So, you should always use "I am clearly".

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: