exactly clear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exactly clear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to emphasize that something is completely understandable or unambiguous. Example: "The instructions were exactly clear, leaving no room for confusion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It's not exactly clear.

The New York Times - Arts

It is not exactly clear.

The New Yorker

What's happening here ain't exactly clear.

The New York Times

Marbury's rooting interest was not exactly clear.

The New York Times

The nature of Alberto Cardona's business is not exactly clear.

The New York Times

His motivations were not exactly clear: Was he being brave?

The New York Times

So the new evidence cannot exactly clear Mr Mandelson's name.

The Economist

But they're not exactly clear whose side he's fighting on".

The New York Times

How he would do so wasn't exactly clear.

The New York Times - Magazine

And that doesn't exactly clear up Givenchy's identity problem.

The New York Times - Style

(Though it's not exactly clear what happened to Barb).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exactly clear" to emphasize a point when you want to ensure there is no room for misinterpretation. For example, "The instructions were exactly clear, so there should be no confusion."

Common error

While "exactly clear" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your tone sound repetitive. Vary your language with synonyms like "perfectly clear" or "unambiguously clear" to maintain a sophisticated style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly clear" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, where "exactly" modifies and intensifies the adjective "clear". It denotes a state of being perfectly or completely understood. Ludwig confirms the validity of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

19%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exactly clear" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, primarily functioning to emphasize the complete and unambiguous understanding of something. Ludwig indicates its correctness and broad applicability. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, its register remains neutral, making it versatile across diverse writing styles. Alternative phrases like "perfectly clear" or "unambiguously clear" offer nuanced substitutions depending on the desired emphasis. When employing "exactly clear", prioritize clarity and precision to prevent any potential misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perfectly clear

Indicates a state of being completely and unmistakably understood, very similar in meaning but perhaps slightly stronger in emphasis.

completely clear

Implies a thorough and total understanding, sharing a high degree of interchangeability with the original phrase.

unambiguously clear

Highlights the lack of ambiguity, adding a layer of emphasis on the absence of doubt or confusion.

plainly obvious

Suggests something is easily seen or understood without needing much explanation, shifting the focus to ease of perception.

crystal clear

Emphasizes the clarity and transparency of understanding, evoking a vivid image of perfect clarity.

patently obvious

Stresses the obvious nature of something, implying it's easily recognized by anyone.

readily apparent

Indicates something is easily noticed or understood, focusing on the ease of recognition.

easily understood

Highlights the ease with which something can be comprehended, shifting the focus to the receiver's understanding.

distinctly defined

Emphasizes that something is sharp and outlined with precision.

unmistakably obvious

Underscores the impossibility of mistaking or misunderstanding something, reinforcing the lack of ambiguity.

FAQs

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

You can use "exactly clear" to emphasize the clarity of something, as in "The terms of the agreement were exactly clear, leaving no room for doubt".

What's a more formal alternative to "exactly clear"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "perfectly clear", "unambiguously clear", or "distinctly defined" depending on the context.

Is "exactly clear" grammatically correct?

Yes, "exactly clear" is grammatically correct and functions as an adverb modifying an adjective, indicating the extent of clarity.

What's the difference between "exactly clear" and "crystal clear"?

"Exactly clear" emphasizes the precision of understanding, while "crystal clear" emphasizes the visual clarity and transparency of the understanding. Choose based on the nuance you want to convey.