clearly that was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clearly that was" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a conclusion or observation that is evident or obvious in a given context. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, it became clear that clearly that was the best decision we could have made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Clearly, that was far outside his three feet of leeway.

The New York Times

Clearly, that was optimistic.

The New York Times

Clearly that was a mistake.

Independent

Clearly, that was wrong.

The New York Times

Clearly, that was not the case.

Forbes

But clearly that was not good enough.

The New York Times

"Clearly that was a difficult qualifying session.

The Guardian - Sport

"But clearly that was what they wanted to hear.

The Guardian

Clearly that was not sustainable success," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Clearly, that was a line written in summer.

The Guardian

Clearly, that was the one I had received in 1988.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clearly that was", ensure the statement following it is factual and supportable to maintain credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "clearly that was" to introduce purely subjective opinions without supporting evidence, as this can weaken your argument and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clearly that was" functions as an adverbial phrase providing emphasis or highlighting an obvious conclusion drawn from preceding information. It often serves to clarify or reinforce a point, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

4%

HuffPost

3%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Forbes

1%

TechCrunch

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "clearly that was" is a commonly used expression to emphasize an obvious conclusion or realization, particularly in hindsight. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, indicating its suitability for objective reporting. While versatile, it's best used when the statement is factual and supportable, avoiding its misuse for subjective opinions. Alternatives such as "obviously that was" or "evidently that was" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obviously that was

Replaces "clearly" with "obviously", maintaining a similar level of certainty and directness.

that was evidently

Substitutes "clearly" with "evidently", which also suggests obviousness based on available evidence.

that was plainly

Uses "plainly" instead of "clearly" to indicate something is easily seen or understood.

that was patently

Employs "patently" to convey that something is undeniably obvious or clear.

undoubtedly that was

Replaces "clearly" with "undoubtedly", emphasizing the lack of doubt about the situation.

it was apparent that

Changes the structure to emphasize the visibility or obviousness of a preceding situation.

it's obvious that was

Uses a more conversational tone, emphasizing the obvious nature of the past action or event.

it became clear that

Shifts the focus to the realization of clarity over time, rather than inherent obviousness.

in hindsight that was

Adds a retrospective viewpoint, suggesting clarity is achieved after the event.

with the benefit of hindsight that was

More explicitly states that the clarity comes from looking back at a situation.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "clearly that was" in a sentence?

Use "clearly that was" to emphasize a point that has become undeniably evident based on prior context or events. For instance, "The experiment failed repeatedly; clearly that was not the right approach."

What phrases can I use instead of "clearly that was" to convey a similar meaning?

You can use alternatives like "obviously that was", "evidently that was", or "plainly that was" depending on the nuance you want to express.

Is "clearly that was" considered formal or informal language?

"Clearly that was" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it's more common in news and media reporting than in academic writing.

Can "clearly that was" be used at the beginning of a sentence?

While grammatically correct, starting a sentence with "clearly that was" might sound slightly awkward. It's often more effective when used within a sentence to emphasize a conclusion based on prior information.