clearly tell

USAGE SUMMARY

'clearly tell' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use 'clearly tell' when you need to get an important message or idea across in a direct way. For example: "I must clearly tell you that you must not enter this room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I absolutely clearly tell you this.

The Guardian

Parts of the movie clearly tell Mr. McCraney's story.

The New York Times

But the numbers clearly tell me that I'm wrong.

The Guardian

"I very clearly tell them to think about their shake," he said.

The New York Times - Food

"Maybe I'll just clearly tell you: whatever I do is not art.

The Guardian - Arts

From where he watches, the salesman can clearly tell that Andy's feet won't reach the clutch.

The New Yorker

"Mr. Shultz I need you to very clearly tell me what happened step by step," he says.

The New York Times - Arts

"But I can very clearly tell you now that he created his television series as a vehicle for his offending.

Independent

Soon, the message concluded, the company would provide "new materials that more clearly tell the nutritional differences of Enfamil".

The New York Times

"Employers have to think about it ahead of time and clearly tell the employees what they can and cannot do".

The New York Times

If the links clearly tell which sidebars have what information, people can skip two-thirds of them and choose only the ones that are important to them.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clearly tell", ensure that the context provides enough information for the message to be easily understood. Avoid ambiguity and provide necessary details for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "clearly tell" when the information is already self-evident or implied. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound redundant and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clearly tell" functions as a verb phrase emphasizing the act of communicating something in an unambiguous and easily understandable manner. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English and helps convey a message directly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clearly tell" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that serves to emphasize the act of communicating something directly and unambiguously. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable phrase in written English. It appears frequently in news media, scientific articles, and general writing, indicating its versatility. To ensure effective communication, use "clearly tell" when you need to eliminate any potential for misunderstanding, but avoid overusing it in situations where the message is already implied. Alternatives such as "explicitly state" or "unambiguously inform" can provide a slightly different emphasis depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explicitly state

Emphasizes directness and lack of ambiguity in the statement.

unambiguously inform

Focuses on removing any possible confusion in the information provided.

unequivocally declare

Highlights the firmness and decisiveness of the communication.

plainly articulate

Stresses the simplicity and clarity of the expression.

directly convey

Focuses on the immediate and unmediated transmission of the message.

distinctly communicate

Emphasizes the clearness of communication.

forthrightly announce

Highlights the candid and straightforward nature of the announcement.

lucidly explain

Focuses on making the explanation easy to understand.

precisely define

Emphasizes the accuracy and exactness of the definition.

expressly mention

Highlights the specific and intentional mentioning of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "clearly tell" to emphasize the directness and clarity of a message. For example, "I need to "clearly tell" you that this is not acceptable."

What are some alternatives to "clearly tell"?

Alternatives include "explicitly state", "unambiguously inform", or "unequivocally declare", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "clearly tell" and "clearly state"?

"Clearly tell" implies a more personal or direct communication, whereas "clearly state" suggests a more formal or public announcement. The choice depends on the context and audience.

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

It is appropriate when you want to emphasize the importance of a direct and unambiguous message. Use it when you need to ensure there is no room for misinterpretation.