is clearly not

USAGE SUMMARY

"is clearly not" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that something is very obvious or evident, often in contrast to something that was previously believed or assumed. Example: "The evidence presented in court is clearly not enough to prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Syria is clearly not Iraq.

The New York Times

She is clearly not well.

Independent

This is clearly not true.

The New York Times - Sports

Money is clearly not his main motivation.

The Economist

That is clearly not what we do".

The New York Times

The problem is clearly not labour supply.

The Economist

Inflation is clearly not the problem.

Independent

This is clearly not the N.H.L.

The New York Times - Sports

That is clearly not on the cards.

The Economist

If so, it is clearly not prime.

The Economist

But that is clearly not true.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is clearly not" to express a strong, evident contradiction or disagreement with a previous statement or assumption. It adds emphasis and clarity to your assertion.

Common error

Avoid using "is clearly not" in situations where a milder disagreement or uncertainty is more appropriate. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly assertive or dismissive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is clearly not" serves as a declarative statement expressing negation with emphasis. It asserts that something is evidently false or does not possess a certain quality, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples. Its purpose is to strongly contradict or dismiss an idea.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is clearly not" is a versatile expression used to express strong disagreement or refutation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the tone and ensure it aligns with the overall formality of your writing. When a strong, evident contradiction is required, "is clearly not" provides a clear and effective way to convey your message. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase the breadth of situations in which this phrase can be employed, highlighting its role in emphasizing the falsity or invalidity of a claim or assumption.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is unequivocally not

Emphasizes the lack of any doubt or reservation.

is evidently not

Highlights that something is obvious from the available evidence.

is obviously not

Similar to 'evidently', but suggests the fact is very easy to perceive.

is manifestly not

Stresses that something is undeniably apparent.

is patently not

Indicates that something is obviously and undeniably false or incorrect.

is plainly not

Highlights the simplicity and clarity of the negation.

is categorically not

Affirms a complete and unconditional denial.

is explicitly not

Emphasizes the direct and unambiguous nature of the denial.

is absolutely not

Emphasizes the certainty and decisiveness of the negation.

is undoubtedly not

Stresses the absence of any reason to doubt the negation.

FAQs

How do you use "is clearly not" in a sentence?

Use "is clearly not" to indicate that something is obviously untrue or incorrect. For example, "The solution presented "is clearly not effective" in addressing the problem".

What phrases can I use instead of "is clearly not"?

You can use alternatives such as "is obviously not", "is evidently not", or "is undoubtedly not" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "is clearly not" or "is not clear"?

The choice depends on the meaning you want to convey. "Is clearly not" emphasizes the obviousness of something being untrue, while "is not clear" indicates a lack of clarity or certainty. Therefore, "The outcome "is clearly not defined"" is different from "The outcome "is not clear"".

Can "is clearly not" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "is clearly not" is acceptable in formal writing. However, consider the tone and ensure it aligns with the overall formality of the piece. More formal alternatives, such as "is unequivocally not", may be more suitable in some contexts.