emphatically clear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "emphatically clear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is very clear or unmistakable, often in a context where clarity is crucial. Example: "The instructions were emphatically clear, leaving no room for misunderstanding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

"Let's be emphatically clear: We are not looking for money.

The Guardian

I was making it emphatically clear that this was a decision for Scottish ministers".

The Guardian

In any event, he added, "it should be emphatically clear that United will continue to fly".

The New York Times

Whatever the verdict, it is emphatically clear that medicines used in children need to be tested in children.

The New York Times

All the evidence is emphatically clear: the idea of a quality daily briefing, which leaves readers informed and entertained, is the signature achievement of this newspaper.

Independent

At the same time, to make their pro-life position emphatically clear, they should vote on a bill denying federal funds to any group that performs abortions.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

He emphatically cleared the government of the second but partially confirmed the third.In the second charge, the first issue is how far Dr Kelly broke civil service rules by meeting Mr Gilligan.

The Economist

Radcliffe, who was emphatically cleared by the IAAF in November after it emerged that she had "plausible explanations" for three allegedly suspicious blood values during her career, admitted that the sport was in a tricky situation.

The Guardian - Sport

Dorio told me about a critically ill patient in his 80s who emphatically made clear that he wanted no extraordinary measures taken to save him, though he hoped to live long enough to see his granddaughter's bat mitzvah nine months away.

Los Angeles Times

25 mins It's been a lively start for Danny Rose down the left and he wins another corner for Tottenham here - breaking into space on the left but seeing his cross deflected behind off a defender... 26 mins Pavlyuchenko's near-post jab is knocked behind for another corner, but this one is hoofed clear emphatically by Murray.

The Guardian - Sport

To be crystal clear, I emphatically hold no brief for him politically or personally (and my partner is such a crazed Democrat that he will not allow my Ivanka Trump pumps--designed by the Donald's daughter--in our closet).

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "emphatically clear" when you want to strongly assert that something is not just clear, but undeniably and absolutely so. This phrase is particularly effective in situations where clarity is paramount, and there should be no room for misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "emphatically clear" in casual conversations or informal writing. Its strong and assertive tone may sound overly formal or even aggressive in settings that call for a more relaxed approach.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "emphatically clear" functions as an adverb-adjective combination that modifies a statement or situation, highlighting the undeniable clarity of something. Ludwig provides many examples of its use in diverse contexts, confirming its role in emphasizing comprehensibility.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "emphatically clear" is a phrase used to strongly assert that something is undeniably obvious and easily understood. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly appears in news and media sources. While it is suitable for formal writing, it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding overly assertive. Alternatives such as "unequivocally clear" or "crystal clear" can be used depending on the desired tone. Using "emphatically clear" is an effective way to eliminate ambiguity, emphasizing the importance of understanding without any room for doubt. When writing, this phrase is a tool to make sure that your audience understands the importance and significance of what you are presenting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unequivocally clear

Replaces "emphatically" with "unequivocally", maintaining a strong sense of clarity but with a slightly more formal tone.

unmistakably clear

Substitutes "emphatically" with "unmistakably", suggesting that the clarity is so obvious it cannot be mistaken.

patently obvious

Replaces the entire phrase with "patently obvious", indicating that something is clearly and undeniably evident.

crystal clear

Offers a more informal alternative, emphasizing clarity to the point of being perfectly transparent.

absolutely certain

Shifts the focus from clarity to certainty, implying a strong and confident assertion.

plainly evident

Highlights the ease with which something can be seen or understood.

categorically clear

Emphasizes that clarity exists without any conditions or exceptions.

distinctly understood

Focuses on the reception of the message, ensuring that the understanding is sharp and well-defined.

indisputably obvious

Highlights that the clarity is such that it cannot be reasonably questioned or challenged.

unquestionably apparent

Suggests the clarity is so strong that it leaves no room for doubt or questioning.

FAQs

How can I use "emphatically clear" in a sentence?

You can use "emphatically clear" to stress that something is undeniably obvious or easily understood. For example, "The instructions were "emphatically clear", leaving no room for error".

What are some alternatives to "emphatically clear"?

Alternatives include "unequivocally clear", "unmistakably clear", or "crystal clear", depending on the desired tone and context.

Is "emphatically clear" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "emphatically clear" is suitable for formal writing when you need to strongly assert a point and ensure there is no ambiguity. However, be mindful of overusing it, as it can make your writing sound overly assertive.

What's the difference between "emphatically clear" and "very clear"?

"Emphatically clear" implies a stronger assertion of clarity than "very clear". While "very clear" simply indicates a high degree of clarity, "emphatically clear" suggests that the clarity is undeniable and leaves no room for doubt.