initially clear that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initially clear that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that was evident or understandable at the beginning of a situation or process. Example: "It was initially clear that the project would require more resources than anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

While the call was borderline — it was not initially clear that the play had ended, which led Wallace to argue that he was merely preventing a continuation basket — when you've been ejected from 30 games in your career, essentially missing nearly half a season, you lose the right to claim to be "merely" doing anything.

The New York Times - Sports

While it wasn't initially clear that he was talking about white people specifically, Carlson reiterated he was not talking about other races.

Huffington Post

The title of one was 'Precautions' and it was not initially clear that this referred to hip precautions.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

However, after initially clearing that with Roddenberry, Wright later received a phone call from him telling Wright not to let Gerrold work on it.

Wikipedia

In the end, Iowa did what its defenders say it does best: It tested the candidates, over many months, first in small settings and then in a media glare, and revealed weaknesses that were not initially clear and strengths that only gradually became apparent.

The New York Times

Initially, we rented our guns, but it quickly became clear that wasn't cost effective.

Vice

Tonight, a senior official involved in the continuing negotiations here said, "What we are looking for is a resolution that, at least initially, makes clear that Iraq is in violation, that Iraq has to do something about that, and makes clear that if it doesn't, there will be consequences".

The New York Times

Given that the standard provincial case definition excludes those who have been recently vaccinated, it was initially not clear that case management and contact tracing should be pursued [ 11].

BMC Public Health

17 In most settings, it is not practical to hospitalize patients in mosquito-free environments for 42 days; therefore, parasites that reappear after initially clearing must be genotyped to confirm that any recrudescent clone was present at the time of initial treatment.

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Despite that, Fina had initially cleared her to compete in Rio after taking advice from Wada.

The Guardian - Sport

The Army initially cleared the book for publication, but then the Defense Intelligence Agency objected, asserting that the manuscript contained classified information.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "initially clear that" to introduce a situation or understanding that evolves or changes over time. This sets up a contrast between the initial perception and later developments.

Common error

Avoid inverting the phrase to "clear initially" as it alters the emphasis and can sound awkward. "Initially clear" focuses on the immediate understanding, whereas "clear initially" can imply something was processed or resolved from the start, which may not be the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initially clear that" functions as a connector, introducing a statement or observation that was apparent or understood at the beginning of a situation or process. This is supported by Ludwig, indicating that it's correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "initially clear that" is a grammatically sound phrase that is commonly used to introduce a fact or situation understood at the beginning, often setting the stage for a change or evolution. Ludwig confirms the phrase's correctness and usability. While appropriate for a variety of contexts, including news, science, and general communication, it is most impactful when highlighting a shift from initial understanding. Pay attention to word order, avoid confusing it with "clear initially", and use it to signal an evolving perspective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evident at first that

Replaces 'initially clear' with a direct synonym, emphasizing the immediate visibility of something.

apparent from the start that

Focuses on the beginning and how something was evident since then.

readily apparent that

Highlights the ease with which something could be understood or noticed.

immediately obvious that

Stresses the quickness with which something became apparent.

quickly became evident that

Shifts focus to the process of becoming evident shortly after a certain time.

soon became apparent that

Similar to 'quickly became evident that', but implies a slightly longer timeframe.

initially understood that

Emphasizes the initial understanding rather than clarity.

first indication was that

Highlights an early sign rather than complete clarity.

on first inspection it was clear that

Adds a layer of observation or investigation to the initial clarity.

it seemed obvious from the beginning that

Emphasizes the seeming obviousness of something from the outset.

FAQs

How can I use "initially clear that" in a sentence?

Use "initially clear that" to introduce a situation or understanding that was evident at the beginning but may have changed or evolved later. For example, "It was "initially clear that" the project would be successful, but challenges arose later on".

What are some alternatives to "initially clear that"?

Alternatives include "evident at first that", "apparent from the start that", or "immediately obvious that". Choose the phrase that best fits the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "initially clear that" and "clear initially"?

"Initially clear that" emphasizes the immediate understanding of something. "Clear initially" is less common and can imply something was processed or resolved from the start. The first phrase is preferred for describing initial perceptions. Always prioritize ""initially clear that"" for describing initial perceptions.

When is it appropriate to use "initially clear that" in writing?

Use "initially clear that" when you want to highlight a contrast between an initial perception or understanding and how things evolved later. It's useful for setting up a narrative where first impressions or assumptions are challenged or modified.