it clearly was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it clearly was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something was evident or obvious in a past situation. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, it clearly was a mistake to underestimate the project's complexity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The Journal Sentinel characterized the FDA's affirmation of its current regulations as an "about face," which it clearly was not.

Huffington Post

However much dust it did encounter at that moment, it clearly was not enough to prevent Philae making its giant rebound.

BBC

But it clearly was a skull.

The New Yorker

(It clearly was in the N.B.A. finals).

The New York Times

It clearly was the city of the god Quetzalcóatl.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Unfortunately, it clearly was not a long-term solution.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It clearly was: more than 100 players tested positive.

The Economist

"After talking to my umpire, it clearly was".

The New York Times

Scoring makes it sound so simple, and to Özil it clearly was.

The New York Times - Sports

Nobody threw it back in my face, but it clearly was a letdown.

The New York Times

Others said let it go: it clearly was impeding their ability to get other things done.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "clearly" with synonyms like "obviously", "plainly", or "undoubtedly" to avoid repetition and add nuance to your writing.

Common error

While "it clearly was" is a valid phrase, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure and use synonyms or alternative expressions to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it clearly was" functions as a declarative statement, asserting that something was evident or obvious. It often serves to emphasize a point or conclusion based on preceding information, aligning with Ludwig's examples. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it clearly was" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to emphasize that something was obvious or evident. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's prevalent in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science contexts. While effective, overuse can make writing repetitive, so varying sentence structure with synonyms like ""it was obvious"" or ""it was evident that"" is recommended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was plainly

Replaces "clearly" with "plainly", indicating something was easily seen or understood.

it was obviously

Substitutes "clearly" with "obviously", stressing that something was easily apparent.

it was evident that

Replaces the original phrase with a more formal structure, highlighting the evidence of something.

it was undoubtedly

Emphasizes certainty with "undoubtedly", implying no room for doubt.

it was patently

Uses "patently" to indicate that something was undeniably true or obvious.

it was unmistakable

Indicates that something could not be mistaken for anything else.

it was a foregone conclusion

Suggests that the outcome was predictable and certain from the beginning.

there was no doubt that

Shifts the sentence structure to explicitly state the absence of doubt.

it was crystal clear

Uses a metaphor to describe something as very easy to see or understand.

that much was clear

Reorders the sentence to emphasize the clarity of a preceding point.

FAQs

How can I use "it clearly was" in a sentence?

Use "it clearly was" to emphasize that something was evident or obvious in a past situation. For example, "After reviewing the evidence, "it clearly was" a mistake to underestimate the project's complexity."

What can I say instead of "it clearly was"?

You can use alternatives like "it was obvious", "it was evident that", or "it was undoubtedly" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it clearly was" or "it was clear"?

Both "it clearly was" and "it was clear" are grammatically correct. "It clearly was" emphasizes the obviousness of the situation more strongly.

What's the difference between "it clearly was" and "it definitely was"?

"It clearly was" suggests something was easily perceived or understood. "It definitely was" emphasizes a strong confirmation or certainty about something.