it was not clear

USAGE SUMMARY

'It was not clear' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express uncertainty or ambiguity. For example: "It was not clear what the politician meant when they said they were 'fighting for change'".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was not clear where he went.

The New York Times

Still, it was not clear enough.

The New Yorker

It was not clear what she meant.

The New York Times

It was not clear who opened fire.

The Guardian

It was not clear where Rumsfeld stood.

The Guardian

It was not clear if Kabila agreed.

The Guardian

It was not clear what caused them.

The Guardian

It was not clear what went wrong.

The New York Times

It was not clear what happened next.

The New York Times

It was not clear who was responsible.

The New York Times

It was not clear if the punch landed.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was not clear" to express uncertainty when reporting on events or situations where details are missing or incomplete. This phrase is suitable for news reports, academic papers, and general communication.

Common error

While "it was not clear" is acceptable, overuse can make writing sound passive. Sometimes, rewriting to specify who lacked clarity (e.g., "researchers could not determine...") creates more direct and engaging prose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was not clear" functions primarily as a declarative statement expressing uncertainty or a lack of definitive information regarding a particular subject. Ludwig AI states this phrase is valid.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was not clear" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for expressing uncertainty or a lack of understanding. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct. Predominantly found in news and media, the phrase serves to acknowledge ambiguity. When employing this phrase, consider providing context or specifying the source of the uncertainty to enhance clarity. Alternative phrases such as "it remained uncertain", "it was undetermined", or "it was ambiguous" may be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it remained uncertain

Focuses on the continuing state of uncertainty.

it was undetermined

Highlights that a decision or conclusion hadn't been reached.

it was ambiguous

Emphasizes the lack of a single, definitive meaning.

it was unresolved

Implies that an issue or question remained open.

it was not obvious

Stresses the lack of immediate or easy understanding.

the situation was murky

Uses metaphorical language to describe the lack of clarity.

the details were vague

Directly addresses the lack of specific information.

the matter was obscure

Indicates that the subject was hidden or difficult to understand.

the answer was elusive

Suggests that finding a clear answer was challenging.

clarity was lacking

Highlights the absence of clearness or precision.

FAQs

What does "it was not clear" mean?

The phrase "it was not clear" signifies that something was uncertain, ambiguous, or not easily understood. It is used to indicate a lack of clarity regarding a specific situation or piece of information.

What can I say instead of "it was not clear"?

You can use alternatives like "it remained uncertain", "it was undetermined", or "it was ambiguous" depending on the specific context.

Is "it wasn't clear" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it wasn't clear" is a grammatically correct contraction of "it was not clear". Both phrases are acceptable and widely used in English.

How can I improve the clarity of my writing when using "it was not clear"?

After stating that something "it was not clear", provide context, acknowledge the lack of clarity, and, if possible, explain why the ambiguity exists or what steps are being taken to resolve it. This helps to clarify the uncertainty.