it was clear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was clear" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was obvious or easily understood in a particular context. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, it was clear that the defendant was not guilty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was clear.

The New York Times

It was clear from his….

The New Yorker

But suddenly it was clear.

The New Yorker

It was clear that. . .

The Washington Post

It was clear where to hit them.

The New Yorker

It was clear, light, sweet and floral.

The New York Times

"It was clear it would be punitive".

The New York Times

It was clear immediately that it was.

Independent

It was clear that they were fragile.

The New York Times

The specifics, it was clear, remain uncertain.

The New York Times - Sports

It was clear what had happened.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was clear" to introduce a deduction or conclusion based on preceding information. This helps create a logical flow in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "it was clear" as a crutch in simple sentences where the clarity is already implied. Reword to create more sophisticated and engaging sentence structures. For instance, instead of saying "It was clear he was angry", try "His anger was palpable".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was clear" primarily functions as a declarative statement, asserting that something was easily understood or apparent. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage, evidenced by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was clear" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something was obvious or easily understood. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. While appropriate for both formal and informal writing, overusing it in simple sentences should be avoided. For variety, consider alternatives such as "it became apparent" or "it was evident".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it became apparent

Emphasizes the process of becoming clear over time.

it was obvious

Highlights the lack of ambiguity.

it was evident

Suggests a strong indication or proof.

it was plain to see

Emphasizes visual clarity and ease of understanding.

it was understood

Focuses on shared comprehension.

it was discernible

Indicates something was distinguishable, but may have required some effort to perceive.

the message was unmistakable

Highlights clarity of communication.

the writing was on the wall

Idiomatic expression indicating an impending event was obvious.

the situation spoke for itself

Indicates the circumstances clearly conveyed the meaning.

no explanation was needed

Implies the matter was self-explanatory.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was clear" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, consider alternatives like "it became apparent", "it was evident", or "it was discernible" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "it was clear" suitable for academic writing?

Yes, "it was clear" is generally suitable for academic writing, particularly when summarizing findings or drawing conclusions. However, strive for variety by occasionally using more formal alternatives like "it became apparent" to maintain reader engagement.

What's the difference between "it was clear" and "it was obvious"?

While both phrases indicate a lack of ambiguity, "it was obvious" often suggests something is immediately apparent and requires little thought, whereas "it was clear" can imply a conclusion reached after some consideration of the facts.

How to use "it was clear" in a sentence?

You can use "it was clear" to introduce a deduction or conclusion, for example: "After examining the data, it was clear that the hypothesis was incorrect".