is relatively clear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is relatively clear" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when assessing the clarity of a statement, idea, or piece of information, indicating that it is mostly understandable but may have some ambiguity. Example: "The explanation provided in the report is relatively clear, making it easy for the audience to grasp the main concepts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The underlying picture, however, is relatively clear.

Independent

By now it is relatively clear what Xi is aiming to do.

The Guardian - Opinion

News more often moves prices without resulting in much trading volume, when its meaning is relatively clear.

The Economist

The law is relatively clear that it is a misdemeanor crime for a person to perform a marriage if the participants have not secured a marriage license.

The New York Times

It is relatively clear from its source, Lake Tear-o the-Clouds, in Lake Placid Township for 135 miles to Glens Falls.

The New Yorker

In Europe the pollution is relatively clear in places like Germany, France and Britain, except for the diesel, but in eastern Europe, where they still have old industries, it is still very bad".

The Guardian

So, I think if you look through Florida law, it is relatively clear that there is no basis whatsoever to be able to find that it's not the machine.

The New York Times

Republicans are often suspicious when Democrats start talking that way, which is why Mr Castro's biographical narrative—"The Castro family's history in the United States began nearly 100 years ago when his grandmother, Victoria Castro, came to Texas as a young orphan"—adds a useful shot of credibility.As a third point, for a catchphrase, "the infrastructure of opportunity" is relatively clear.

The Economist

But at least the origin is relatively clear: Russian state actors.

TechCrunch

Call quality is relatively clear on both ends and does pretty well out on the streets.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mark Williams (Mr. Broderick), the humble hero of "The Starry Messenger," is relatively clear-minded.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is relatively clear" to convey that something is understandable but may not be perfectly precise or free from ambiguity. It's useful when acknowledging potential nuances or complexities.

Common error

Avoid using "is relatively clear" when something is genuinely ambiguous or confusing. Choose a more direct phrase like "is unclear" or "is ambiguous" to accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is relatively clear" functions as an evaluative expression. It qualifies the clarity of a subject, indicating a state of partial or moderate comprehensibility. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a common and acceptable expression in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is relatively clear" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that is mostly understandable but may still have some ambiguity. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is an acceptable expression in written English. It's versatile, appearing in various contexts from scientific literature to news articles, and conveys a nuanced assessment of clarity. While it is important to acknowledge its correct usage and context, the guidance and alternatives help prevent any overstatement of clarity. Top sources like The New York Times, and The Guardian demonstrate the phrase's widespread acceptance and appropriate use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is fairly clear

Replaces "relatively" with "fairly", suggesting a slightly lower degree of clarity.

is reasonably clear

Substitutes "relatively" with "reasonably", indicating a similar level of clarity.

is quite clear

Replaces "relatively" with "quite", implying a slightly higher degree of clarity.

is comparatively clear

Uses "comparatively" instead of "relatively", emphasizing a comparison to something else.

is largely understood

Shifts the focus to understanding rather than clarity, implying that most people comprehend it.

is mostly obvious

Indicates that something is generally apparent or evident.

is somewhat transparent

Uses "transparent" to describe clarity, suggesting that something is easily seen through or understood.

is fairly obvious

Similar to "is mostly obvious", but replaces "relatively" with "fairly".

is somewhat self-explanatory

Suggests that something doesn't require much explanation to be understood.

is understood to some extent

Emphasizes that understanding is partial or not complete.

FAQs

How can I use "is relatively clear" in a sentence?

You can use "is relatively clear" to describe information or a concept that is mostly understandable, but might still have some room for interpretation or further clarification. For example, "The instructions "are relatively clear", but a demonstration would still be helpful."

What are some alternatives to "is relatively clear"?

Alternatives include phrases like "is fairly clear", "is reasonably clear", or "is largely understood". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "is relatively clear" instead of "is clear"?

Use "is relatively clear" when you want to acknowledge that while something is mostly understandable, it might not be entirely without ambiguity or potential for misinterpretation. It adds a degree of nuance that "is clear" lacks.

Is there a difference between saying "is relatively clear" and "is absolutely clear"?

Yes, "is absolutely clear" implies complete and total clarity, leaving no room for doubt or misinterpretation. "Is relatively clear" suggests a higher degree of clarity than something which "is somewhat transparent", but it acknowledges the possibility of some remaining ambiguity.