entirely clear how

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "entirely clear how" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the clarity or understanding of a particular process, situation, or concept. Example: "It is not entirely clear how the new policy will affect our operations moving forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's not entirely clear how that happens.

Harvard University

It is not entirely clear how those drugs work.

The New York Times

It's not entirely clear how Xu overcame the government's concerns.

The New Yorker

It's also not entirely clear how she died.

Independent

It is not entirely clear how this atonement worked.

The New Yorker

It wasn't entirely clear how kids found out.

The New York Times - Magazine

But it was not entirely clear how to do that.

The New York Times

It is not entirely clear how far this means Goldman will go.

The New York Times

It's not entirely clear how T.I.B.C. assembled a roster of fake loans, but clues have emerged.

The New Yorker

It has never been entirely clear how the specialists make their money.

The Economist

It's not entirely clear how Mr Denham defines virtue in this context.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To emphasize the lack of understanding, consider phrases like "it remains unclear how" or "the mechanism by which this occurs is not entirely clear."

Common error

Avoid using "entirely clear how" when there are still ambiguities or uncertainties. Overstating the clarity can undermine your credibility if the reader detects inconsistencies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "entirely clear how" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying the verb. According to Ludwig AI, it indicates the degree of clarity or understanding regarding a particular process or situation. It typically introduces an explanation or a lack thereof.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

24%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "entirely clear how" is a versatile expression used to convey the extent to which a process or method is understood. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific domains.

While it is important to use the phrase accurately, reflecting the true degree of understanding, alternatives such as "completely obvious how" or "fully understood how" can add nuance. When using "entirely clear how", ensure the context is unambiguous, and avoid overstating clarity when uncertainties persist. The phrase is common, but can be substituted by many different expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fully understood how

Substitutes "entirely clear" with "fully understood", focusing on the comprehensive understanding of the subject.

easily understood how

Highlights the ease of comprehension regarding a particular matter.

completely obvious how

Replaces "entirely clear" with "completely obvious", emphasizing the straightforward and evident nature of the process.

readily apparent how

Emphasizes the easiness in understanding a process.

distinctly understood how

Highlights clarity and a specific understanding of a process.

perfectly obvious how

Similar to "completely obvious how", but may suggest an even stronger sense of self-evidence.

patently obvious how

Indicates that the way something happens is undeniably clear and evident.

unquestionably evident how

Highlights that there is no space for doubts about the clarity.

plainly seen how

Conveys the idea that the process or method is easily visible and comprehensible.

absolutely certain how

Indicates a state of complete assurance and clarity regarding the process.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "entirely clear how" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases such as "fully understood how", "completely evident how", or "unequivocally clear how". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What does "entirely clear how" mean?

The phrase "entirely clear how" means that the way in which something happens or the method by which something is achieved is completely understood and free from ambiguity. It indicates a full and unambiguous understanding of a process or mechanism.

Is it ever appropriate to use "not entirely clear how"?

Yes, "not entirely clear how" is commonly used to indicate that while some aspects of a process are understood, there are still uncertainties or missing information. It's a useful phrase when acknowledging partial understanding without claiming complete clarity. For example: "It is "not entirely clear how" the mechanism works."

What are some common synonyms for "entirely clear how"?

Some common synonyms include "perfectly obvious how", "readily apparent how", and "easily understood how". These alternatives convey similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.