come clear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "come clear" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It is typically intended to mean that something becomes understandable or evident, but the more common expression is "become clear." Example: "After discussing the project details, everything began to come clear to the team."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

A surprising thing began to come clear.

The New York Times

It'll come clear with time.

The New York Times

All this has come clear of late.

The New York Times - Books

"The question is will he come clear on Social Security.

The New York Times

Oh," because of course it had suddenly come clear.

The New Yorker

The symbolism of that vignette did not come clear for many years.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Do omens and inspiration come clearer than that?

The New York Times

The relevance of these observations will be come clearer as more genomic sequences and structural data become available for mitochondrial porins and other β-barrel, membrane spanning proteins.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

But its true significance comes clear only at the end.

Independent

But in 1927 the results of the experiment at last came clear.

The New Yorker

This swell comes clear across the ocean with nothing stopping it.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer "become clear" over "come clear" in formal writing to ensure grammatical correctness. While "come clear" is frequently used, "become clear" is widely recognized as the more appropriate choice.

Common error

Avoid using "come" when you mean "become" to express something transitioning into a state of clarity or understanding. "Come" typically refers to movement or arrival, not a change in state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come clear" functions as a verb phrase, typically intending to describe a process of clarification or revelation. Ludwig suggests that "become clear" is a more suitable alternative. The examples show its use in various contexts to indicate when something becomes understandable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "come clear" is frequently used, particularly in News & Media contexts, it is considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig recommends using the phrase "become clear" as a more grammatically sound alternative. Other options include "become evident" or "become apparent". Ensure that you opt for "become clear" in formal writing to maintain grammatical integrity. Though common, "come clear" should be used with caution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become clear

This is the most grammatically sound and direct alternative, replacing "come" with "become" to adhere to standard English.

become evident

This alternative emphasizes the visibility and obviousness of something that was previously hidden or unknown.

become apparent

Similar to "become evident", this suggests something is now easily perceived or understood.

emerge

This word indicates that something is gradually revealed or comes into view, often after a period of obscurity.

transpire

This suggests that information or an event is revealed, often unexpectedly or after investigation.

unfold

This word implies a gradual revelation or development of events or understanding.

dawn on

This suggests a sudden realization or understanding.

register

This verb indicates that something is understood or noticed.

sink in

This phrase means that something is fully understood or realized after a period of time.

materialize

Suggests something becomes real or apparent, often after being abstract or uncertain.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say something is understandable?

The correct way to say something is understandable is to use the phrase "become clear". While "come clear" is used, it's not grammatically sound. For example, "After the presentation, the project's goals became clear".

Is "come clear" grammatically correct?

No, "come clear" is not considered grammatically correct in formal writing. The more appropriate and widely accepted phrase is "become clear".

What can I say instead of "come clear"?

You can use alternatives like "become evident", "become apparent", or simply "emerge", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "come clear" or "become clear"?

"Become clear" is the correct phrase. "Come clear" is a less formal and grammatically questionable alternative.