is not clear enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not clear enough" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when something is not understood or expressed well, implying that more clarification is needed. For example: "Her instructions for assembling the furniture were not clear enough; I still can't figure out how to put it together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Whether students draw upon more cognitive resources or more motivational resources is not clear enough.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

However, a complete understanding of the dynamics of interactions between plants and ENMs is not clear enough yet.

Plant Physiology and Biochemistry

The Glasgow City Council is resisting the Muslim activists, saying it is not clear enough that local Muslims want an Islamic school.

The Economist

The bills exclude American citizens, and the Senate bill appears to exclude lawful residents of this country, but government lawyers fear that is not clear enough.

The New York Times

But some privacy advocates and policymakers argue that COPPA is not clear enough in some cases, given the wide and growing range of technological capabilities of today's toys.

MIT Technology Review

But those turbines will need to go in remote, windy areas that are far off the beaten path, electrically speaking, and it is not clear enough transmission capacity will be developed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

And if that isn't clear enough, pretty much everyone who attempts to climb Everest takes oxygen with them.

The Guardian

And if that isn't clear enough, BBC Radio 5 live have produced this handy graphic.

BBC

It could be that they're not retaining the information or the information isn't clear enough.

Forbes

Still, it was not clear enough.

The New Yorker

"The message was not clear enough," he added.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is not clear enough", ensure the context clearly indicates what lacks clarity and why. Provide specific examples or details to support your assertion.

Common error

Avoid using "is not clear enough" without specifying what exactly is unclear. For instance, instead of saying "The instruction is not clear enough", specify "The instruction regarding the software installation process is not clear enough because it doesn't mention the required dependencies."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not clear enough" functions as an evaluative adjective phrase used to express a judgment about the clarity or explicitness of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. It suggests that further explanation or detail is required for better understanding.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

52%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is not clear enough" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate a lack of clarity or detail. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable phrase in written English. It is widely used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. When employing this phrase, be precise about what lacks clarity and why, avoiding vague statements. Alternative phrases like "is insufficiently clear" or "lacks necessary clarity" can be used in more formal contexts. Understanding its appropriate usage enhances effective communication by signaling the need for greater explicitness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is insufficiently clear

Replaces "enough" with "insufficiently", emphasizing the degree of lack of clarity.

is not sufficiently explicit

Substitutes "clear" with "explicit", focusing on the lack of detailed expression.

is not adequately defined

Replaces "clear" with "defined", highlighting the absence of a precise definition.

is not readily apparent

Focuses on the lack of immediate visibility or understanding.

is somewhat ambiguous

Indicates that the issue is open to multiple interpretations, lacking specific detail.

remains open to interpretation

Highlights that the subject is subjective and lacks a definite meaning.

lacks necessary clarity

Emphasizes the absence of required clearness.

is open to question

Indicates that the matter is debatable or uncertain.

is subject to misinterpretation

Suggests that the subject can be easily misunderstood.

is shrouded in uncertainty

Implies a significant lack of clarity, almost hidden from understanding.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "is not clear enough" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "is insufficiently clear", "lacks the necessary clarity", or "is not adequately defined".

What are some common situations where "is not clear enough" is used?

This phrase is commonly used when discussing instructions, explanations, requirements, or guidelines that need further clarification. It is applicable across various fields, including science, technology, and law.

Which is the correct way to say "is not clear enough" or "isn't clear enough"?

"Is not clear enough" and "isn't clear enough" are both grammatically correct. The contracted form "isn't clear enough" is more informal, while "is not clear enough" is more formal.

What's the difference between saying something "is not clear enough" and saying it "is ambiguous"?

While both indicate a lack of clarity, "is not clear enough" suggests that something needs more detail or explanation to be fully understood. "Is ambiguous" suggests that something is open to multiple interpretations. Consider alternatives such as "is somewhat ambiguous" or "remains open to interpretation".