it s not clear

USAGE SUMMARY

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It?s clear that "it?s not enough just to do the obvious things".

Science Magazine

It is not clear which mechanism(s) is operating.

Carcinogenesis

Therefore, it is not clear what signal(s) triggered this mobilization of conjugative transposons.

Genome Medicine

It is not clear what mechanism(s) dictate which single copy genes will remain, and which will be lost.

BMC Genomics

It is not clear which protein(s) was/were palmitoylated, nor how such palmitoylation would increase order.

eLife

But, he said, for women in their 40's, "it is not clear that there is any benefit at all".

The New York Times - Health

Should Mr. Cole's amendment become law, it is not clear what its effects would be.

The New York Times

IT'S NOT CLEAR what Castro can accomplish as mayor.

The New York Times - Magazine

IT'S not clear how a candidate might guard the last shreds of dignity.

The New York Times

It's not clear who's come the furthest.

The Guardian - Books

It is not clear whether Pinchette's resignation inspired Callinicos.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it's not clear" to introduce a point of uncertainty before presenting various possible explanations or outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using "it's not clear" excessively, as it can lead to a passive and vague writing style. Instead, try to identify who lacks clarity or what specifically is unclear, and rephrase for a more direct statement. For instance, instead of saying "It's not clear what caused the error", try "The cause of the error remains unknown" or "Researchers have not yet determined the cause of the error."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's not clear" functions as an impersonal construction used to express uncertainty or a lack of definite knowledge. It serves to introduce a statement where the speaker or writer acknowledges that something is not fully understood or established.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it's not clear" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a lack of certainty or understanding. While grammatically sound and widely understood, it is best employed strategically to introduce points of ambiguity. Ludwig AI indicates that without examples, the assessment is limited. In order to prevent overuse, it is advisable to explore alternatives such as "it remains uncertain" or "the situation is ambiguous" for a more nuanced writing style. Due to the lack of any specific examples extracted from the search, it's crucial to use the phrase deliberately and back it up with evidence and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it remains uncertain

Emphasizes the continuing state of uncertainty.

it is still uncertain

Highlights that the uncertainty persists over time.

the situation is ambiguous

Focuses on the ambiguity of the situation itself.

the answer is unknown

Directly states that the solution or explanation is not yet known.

it's open to interpretation

Highlights the subjectivity and potential for multiple understandings.

the details are hazy

Suggests a lack of clarity and precision in the information available.

the matter is unresolved

Indicates that the issue has not been settled or decided.

it's difficult to ascertain

Highlights the challenge in determining or establishing something.

the picture is incomplete

Emphasizes that some pieces of information are missing.

the facts are still emerging

Suggests that the full story is still unfolding.

FAQs

How can I use "it's not clear" in a sentence?

"It's not clear" is used to express a lack of certainty or understanding about something. For example, "It is not clear whether the new policy will be effective."

What are some alternatives to "it's not clear"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it remains uncertain", "the situation is ambiguous", or "the answer is unknown", depending on the context.

Is "it's not clear" formal or informal?

"It's not clear" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic writing.

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

Both "it's not clear" and "it's unclear" have the same meaning and are generally interchangeable. The choice often depends on personal preference or stylistic considerations.