is not very clear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'is not very clear' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express uncertainty or confusion about something. For example, "The explanation he gave for why he was late is not very clear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What you said is not very clear.

The New York Times

This is not very clear.

The Guardian

Because that is not very clear.

MIT Technology Review

The function of this domain is not very clear.

Nature

The picture is not very clear; the picture is hazy".

The New York Times

Regrettably, the kind of auxiliary field that can be used is not very clear.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

What good design means, however, and how this relates to inclusivity, is not very clear.

Design Studies

The magnitude of those savings is not very clear at this point.

Cornell University

How he came to be so rich is not very clear.

Independent

The picture is not very clear at the quarter pole of the regular season.

The New York Times - Sports

"But it is not very clear where the red line is".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is not very clear", ensure the context provides enough information to understand what specifically lacks clarity. Avoid vagueness by specifying the subject or aspect that is unclear.

Common error

Avoid using "is not very clear" excessively in contexts where active voice would be more direct and engaging. For instance, instead of "The report's conclusions are not very clear", try "The report's conclusions are vague".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not very clear" functions as a qualifier, indicating a degree of uncertainty or ambiguity. It modifies a subject by expressing that something lacks complete clarity, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is not very clear" is a commonly used expression to denote a lack of complete clarity or understanding. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, ranging from formal reports to news articles. While alternatives like "is unclear" or "remains ambiguous" exist, "is not very clear" offers a nuanced way to express uncertainty. The phrase sees frequent use in science, news and media, formal and business settings, reflecting its wide applicability. When employing "is not very clear", it's beneficial to provide context to pinpoint the source of ambiguity, ensuring effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not very understandable

Focuses on the difficulty in comprehending something.

is not so clear

A slightly more informal way of expressing a lack of clarity.

is not very evident

Highlights that something is not easily perceived or obvious.

is not quite clear

Indicates a partial lack of clarity or understanding.

is not very certain

Emphasizes the lack of sureness or definiteness.

is not very clearly understood

Highlights that comprehension is lacking.

is not very straightforward

Suggests that something is complicated or not easy to follow.

is not very clear cut

Indicates a lack of distinctness or definition.

is not been clear

Grammatically incorrect, but conveys a similar idea.

remains ambiguous

Focuses on the ongoing state of being unclear or uncertain.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "is not very clear"?

You can use alternatives like "is not so clear", "is ambiguous", or "remains unclear" depending on the context.

How to use "is not very clear" in a sentence?

You can use "is not very clear" to express that something lacks clarity or is difficult to understand. For example: "The instructions for assembling the furniture is not very clear."

What's the difference between "is not very clear" and "is unclear"?

The phrase "is unclear" directly states a lack of clarity, while "is not very clear" suggests a slightly lesser degree of clarity. Both are often interchangeable, but "is not very clear" can imply a nuanced ambiguity.

Is "is not very clear" grammatically correct?

Yes, "is not very clear" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to express a lack of clarity or understanding.