it is not clear to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is not clear to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing uncertainty or ambiguity regarding a particular subject or situation. Example: "It is not clear to me why the project was delayed, and I would like further clarification."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is not clear to whom the threat was directed.

The New York Times

It is not clear to me why that has not happened and I suspect it is not clear to the director-general [Parker] either.

The Guardian

"It is not clear to me yet how forceful the Benkirane government will be," she said.

The New York Times

"It is not clear to me what new contribution did they make," he said.

The New Yorker

It is not clear to what extent the study reflects Mr. Netanyahu's thinking.

The New York Times

It is not clear to what extent he exercises day-to-day control of military activities.

The New York Times

It is not clear to me that there is another level of compression.

The New York Times

"It is not clear to me what is germinating," he said.

The New York Times

It is not clear to us why the book resonated so strongly with these year's voters.

The New York Times

It is not clear to anyone involved how serious the various threats are.

The New York Times - Sports

But it is not clear to me that this amounts to "Putinisation".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is not clear to", ensure the context clearly identifies to whom it is not clear. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the subject or group experiencing the lack of clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "it is not clear to" without specifying who lacks clarity. For instance, instead of saying "It is not clear to what extent the study reflects Mr. Netanyahu's thinking", be explicit: "It is not clear to outside observers to what extent the study reflects Mr. Netanyahu's thinking."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is not clear to" functions as a declarative expression of uncertainty or lack of understanding. It serves to introduce a statement where clarity is absent. As seen in Ludwig's examples, the phrase commonly precedes an explanation of what exactly is unclear.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is not clear to" is a common and versatile phrase used to express a lack of understanding or certainty. Ludwig's AI confirms it's grammatically correct, and our analysis shows it frequently appears in scientific and news contexts. When using the phrase, ensure you specify to whom something is unclear to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "it is unclear to" or "it is uncertain to" for conciseness or different shades of meaning. The phrase serves the function of declaring a lack of understanding, which in turn serves the purpose of doubt, uncertainty, or a need for clarification. The register is neutral. It is seen across various authoritative sources, making it suitable for diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I'm unclear about

Uses "unclear" instead of "not clear", focusing on a personal lack of clarity.

It is uncertain to

Replaces "clear" with "uncertain", emphasizing the lack of certainty.

It is ambiguous to

Substitutes "clear" with "ambiguous", highlighting the presence of multiple interpretations.

It is vague to

Replaces "clear" with "vague", suggesting a lack of precision or detail.

It remains unknown to

Emphasizes the continuing state of not being known or understood.

It is not obvious to

Replaces "clear" with "obvious", indicating that the information is not readily apparent.

It is not apparent to

Similar to "not obvious", suggesting that something is not easily perceived or understood.

I'm unsure about

Shifts the focus to personal uncertainty.

It's hard to discern

Emphasizes the difficulty in distinguishing or understanding something.

The implications are murky

Focuses on the unclear consequences or effects of something.

FAQs

What does "it is not clear to" mean?

The phrase "it is not clear to" expresses a lack of understanding or certainty about something. It indicates that the speaker or writer does not have a complete or definite grasp of a particular subject, situation, or concept.

How can I use "it is not clear to" in a sentence?

You can use "it is not clear to" to express your own lack of understanding or to point out that something is generally uncertain. For example, "It is not clear to me why the project was delayed" or "It is not clear to what extent the new policy will be effective."

What are some alternatives to "it is not clear to"?

Some alternatives include "it is unclear to", "it is uncertain to", "it is ambiguous to", or "it is not obvious to". The best alternative depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Both phrases are grammatically correct and widely used. "It is unclear to" might be considered slightly more concise, but the difference in meaning and acceptability is negligible. The choice often comes down to personal preference.