clearly meant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clearly meant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is obvious or intended in a straightforward manner. Example: "The author's tone in the novel is clearly meant to convey a sense of urgency and despair."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ray Ozzie clearly meant well.

Stanford University

But others were clearly meant for presents.

The New York Times

It clearly meant what it said.

The Guardian

"This is clearly meant to discourage Bastian.

The Guardian - Sport

It's clearly meant for every household".

The New Yorker

She clearly meant ace of the staff.

The New York Times - Sports

Even though she clearly meant Oghi's assets.

The New Yorker

Such gibes are clearly meant for the adult reader.

The New Yorker

By part of "this," she clearly meant the presidential campaign.

The New York Times

In any case, it clearly meant the totality of something.

The New York Times - Science

It clearly meant to knock us from our kayaks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clearly meant" to emphasize that an interpretation or intention is easily understood and supported by evidence within the context.

Common error

Avoid using "clearly meant" when the intention is not objectively verifiable, and relies on personal interpretation. Instead, acknowledge the subjectivity with phrases like "seemingly meant" or "likely intended".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clearly meant" functions as an intensifier modifying the verb "meant", highlighting the obviousness or unambiguous nature of the intention. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it serves to emphasize the clarity of the intended meaning in a given context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "clearly meant" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that serves to emphasize the obvious intention behind an action or statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is generally considered correct and is widely employed across diverse contexts such as news, academic writing, and scientific discourse. While it is suitable for a range of formality levels, it is important to ensure its use aligns with objective verifiability, avoiding subjective interpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obviously intended

Focuses on the intention being easily perceived.

plainly implied

Highlights the implication being straightforward and evident.

evidently signified

Emphasizes the clear signaling of a particular meaning.

unmistakably suggested

Stresses the lack of ambiguity in the suggestion.

unquestionably indicated

Underscores the certainty of the indication.

patently suggested

Uses 'patently' to denote something obvious or evident.

transparently conveyed

Highlights the clarity and openness of the communication.

unambiguously expressed

Focuses on the clarity and lack of confusion in the expression.

distinctly showed

Highlights the clear and noticeable demonstration of intent.

readily understood

Highlights how the meaning was easily grasped.

FAQs

How can I use "clearly meant" in a sentence?

You can use "clearly meant" to express that something was obviously intended or understood in a particular way. For example, "His silence was "clearly meant" as a sign of disapproval".

What are some alternatives to "clearly meant"?

Alternatives to "clearly meant" include "obviously intended", "plainly implied", or "evidently signified". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it redundant to use "clearly meant"?

While "meant" already implies intention, adding "clearly" emphasizes the obviousness or unambiguous nature of that intention. The redundancy is slight, but the added emphasis can be useful for clarity.

What's the difference between "clearly meant" and "implicitly suggested"?

"Clearly meant" indicates a direct and obvious intention, whereas "implicitly suggested" implies a more subtle or indirect communication of intent. The former is more overt, the latter more nuanced.