clearly say

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clearly say" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something is stated in an unambiguous or straightforward manner. Example: "The report should clearly say the main findings to ensure everyone understands the conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And the authorities should responsibly and clearly say this.

The New York Times

And they should clearly say this is abuse.

The Guardian

"You can very clearly say in the aggregate, this doesn't help individual investor portfolios," he said.

The New York Times

The schools clearly say in the letter that they are not endorsing the programme".

The Guardian

But I'm an honest person, and I can clearly say that I was wrong.

The New York Times

"I have to clearly say that the referee was a catastrophe," he harrumphed.

The Guardian - Sport

A year on, we can clearly say that the Iran deal is working and we need to maintain it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Loving does clearly say, in the first paragraph quoted above, that there's a substantive due process right to marry.

The Washington Post

Documents clearly say that AT&T had warned the commission that some per-minute rates would be raised.

The New York Times

Similarly, Morgan Stanley's prospectuses for its mutual funds clearly say the firm may have other relationships with the companies that it invests in.

The New York Times

"But we clearly say not to shoot anyone in the head, and not to fire it at a distance closer than one meter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing instructions or guidelines, use "clearly say" to ensure readers understand key points without confusion. For example, "The instructions should clearly say how to assemble the product."

Common error

While "clearly say" is acceptable, avoid overuse in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "state" or "mention" to maintain a natural tone. Be mindful of the register and choose language that suits the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clearly say" functions as a verbal phrase used to emphasize the clarity and explicitness of a statement. Ludwig AI shows its use in various contexts where direct communication is crucial. This phrase indicates that something should be stated in an easily understandable and unambiguous way.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

25%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "clearly say" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to emphasize the necessity of explicit and unambiguous communication. According to Ludwig AI, it frequently appears in news and media, as well as in scientific and formal business contexts. While "clearly say" is widely applicable, consider alternative phrases like ""state explicitly"" or "articulate distinctly" to avoid overuse and tailor your language to the specific context. Remember to use "clearly say" when you want to ensure that your message is understood without any room for misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

state explicitly

This alternative focuses on making the statement free of ambiguity, highlighting precision.

articulate distinctly

This suggests expressing something in a particularly clear and understandable manner.

express unequivocally

This emphasizes the lack of doubt or reservation in the statement.

declare plainly

This highlights the simplicity and directness of the statement.

assert categorically

This implies a firm and confident declaration without conditions.

specify unambiguously

This focuses on the absence of any possible misinterpretation of the statement.

pronounce distinctly

Focuses on uttering the phrase in a way that it's very well heard and understood.

make it clear

This is a more general way of saying "clearly say", focusing on the result of clarity.

put it plainly

This emphasizes a straightforward and easily understandable way of expressing something.

express directly

This focuses on the lack of intermediaries or indirectness in the communication.

FAQs

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

Use "clearly say" to emphasize that something should be stated in an unambiguous manner. Example: "The contract should "state explicitly" the payment terms."

What can I say instead of "clearly say"?

You can use alternatives like ""state explicitly"", "articulate distinctly", or "express unequivocally" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "clearly say" or "clear say"?

"Clearly say" is the correct phrase. "Clear say" is not grammatically standard. Always use the adverb "clearly" to modify the verb "say" when you want to emphasize the clarity of the statement.

When is it appropriate to use "clearly say" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "clearly say" when you need to emphasize that a piece of information should be communicated without any ambiguity. This is useful in legal documents, instructions, and any situation where precision is important.