he was very clear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was very clear" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who communicated their thoughts or instructions in an understandable and straightforward manner. Example: "During the meeting, he was very clear about the project's objectives and deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was very clear.

The New York Times

He was very clear in the campaign.

The Washington Post

"He was very clear about it.

The New York Times

He understood society and criticized society; he was very clear".

The New York Times - Arts

But he was very clear in what he said.

The New York Times

"He was very clear with all the superintendents.

The New York Times

He didn't intend to stay in Alabama; on this point he was very clear.

The New Yorker

The key to his success was that he was very clear, very articulate, and never confusing".

The New Yorker

And he was very clear that if we could not get there, then we could not get there.

Harvard University

He was very clear about what he did and didn't like".

The Guardian - Music

Clegg replies: "He was very clear we will look at it with an open mind constructively.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's communication, consider the specific aspect you want to emphasize. For example, use "he made his intentions explicit" if the clarity of intention is key, or "he spoke unequivocally" to highlight the firmness of their statement.

Common error

While "he was very clear" is acceptable, overuse of "very" can weaken your writing. Consider replacing "very clear" with stronger, more descriptive words like "explicit", "unequivocal", or "plain" to add impact and precision to your descriptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was very clear" functions as a subjective assessment, indicating the speaker's perception of someone else's communication. It is used to describe the quality of the message received. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was very clear" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe someone's ability to communicate directly and without ambiguity. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is deemed correct and usable in various forms of written English. Its prevalence in contexts like News & Media and Academia underscores its versatility. While effective, consider alternatives for a richer writing style. The phrase serves to emphasize the quality and effectiveness of communication, ensuring that the message is easily understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was quite explicit

This conveys a similar level of directness and detail in his communication as the original phrase.

he made his intentions explicit

This focuses specifically on the clarity of his stated intentions.

he delivered a crystal-clear message

This alternative emphasizes the clarity and precision of his communication.

he left no room for doubt

This highlights the decisiveness and certainty of his statement.

he expressed himself unambiguously

This highlights the absence of any potential for misinterpretation in his communication.

he spoke unequivocally

This implies a firm and resolute tone in his communication.

he communicated his thoughts directly

This emphasizes the lack of indirectness in his communication style.

he stated it plainly

This suggests a simple and straightforward manner of communication.

he articulated his point well

This alternative focuses on the speaker's ability to express their ideas effectively.

he was remarkably forthright

This emphasizes the honesty and candor in his communication.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says "he was very clear"?

It means the person communicated their thoughts, intentions, or instructions in a way that was easily understood and left no room for confusion or misinterpretation. It implies directness and explicitness.

What can I say instead of "he was very clear"?

You can use alternatives like "he articulated his point well", "he was quite explicit", or "he made his intentions explicit" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "he was very clear"?

Yes, the phrase "he was very clear" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It follows standard subject-verb-complement sentence structure.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "he was very clear"?

It is appropriate to use the phrase when you want to emphasize that someone's communication was direct, unambiguous, and easily understood. It's suitable for describing statements, instructions, or intentions.