has been clear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been clear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been evident or understandable over a period of time. Example: "The company's commitment to sustainability has been clear from the start, as evidenced by their eco-friendly practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That has been clear since 1996".

The New York Times

Jack has been clear and disciplined".

The New Yorker

"The verdict has been clear.

The Guardian

The plan has been clear.

The Guardian - Business

What that means has been clear for a long time.

Independent

Why?" Public opposition to the new measures has been clear.

The New York Times

He has been clear on what needs to be done.

The New York Times

On the broad point, he has been clear.

The New York Times

But Mr McCain's position has been clear, consistent and right.

The Economist

"The policy has been clear," a European diplomat said.

The New York Times

The effect on the pitch has been clear.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been clear" to emphasize that something has been easily understood or evident over a period. It's especially effective when contrasting past ambiguity with present understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "has been clear" as a generic filler. While grammatically sound, it can weaken your writing if a more specific verb or adjective would better convey the nuance of the situation. Choose stronger verbs that show, instead of telling, the situation is "clear".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been clear" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating a state of being or a condition that has persisted over time. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it signifies that something has been easily understood or evident. Many examples show how widely applicable the phrase is.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been clear" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something has been easily understood or evident over time. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears most commonly in news and media sources, and its neutral register makes it suitable for a variety of contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it adds value by emphasizing a state of sustained clarity, and consider alternatives like "has been obvious" or "has been evident" for nuanced meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been obvious

Replaces "clear" with "obvious", emphasizing the ease of perceiving or understanding something.

has been evident

Substitutes "clear" with "evident", highlighting that something is easily noticeable or apparent.

has been apparent

Uses "apparent" instead of "clear", suggesting something is readily visible or understandable.

has been understood

Replaces "clear" to focus on the reception and comprehension of information.

has been explicit

Highlights the direct and unambiguous nature of the information, replacing "clear" with "explicit".

has been well-defined

Focuses on the distinct and precise nature of something, unlike the general clarity implied by "clear".

has been unambiguous

Emphasizes the absence of multiple interpretations, differing from the general sense of "clear".

has been straightforward

Replaces "clear" to suggest ease and simplicity in understanding or execution.

has been transparent

Highlights openness and visibility, which is a specific aspect of clarity.

has been plain

Conveys simplicity and lack of complexity, a subtler aspect of being "clear".

FAQs

How can I use "has been clear" in a sentence?

Use "has been clear" to indicate that something has been easily understood or evident over time. For example, "The company's commitment to sustainability "has been clear" since it adopted eco-friendly practices".

What are some alternatives to "has been clear"?

You can use alternatives such as "has been obvious", "has been evident", or "has been apparent" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "it has been clear" or "it was clear"?

"It has been clear" implies the clarity has persisted over a period, while "it was clear" refers to a specific point in the past. Use "it has been clear" when the clarity continues to the present; otherwise, "it was clear" is appropriate.

What's the difference between "has been clear" and "has become clear"?

"Has been clear" suggests the information was always understandable. "Has become clear" implies a shift from obscurity to understanding. Therefore, use "has become clear" when referring to new information.