made clear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made clear" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has been clearly explained or made obvious. For example, "The rules of the game were made clear to the players before we began."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Priorities are made clear.

The New York Times

"That was made clear.

The New York Times - Sports

— that's not made clear.

The New York Times

vernacular — were also made clear.

The New York Times - Health

This is never made clear.

The New York Times - Arts

Nothing is made clear.

The Guardian - Books

That's been made clear.

The Guardian - Sport

(It's never made clear).

The New Yorker

The Bundesbank made clear its displeasure.

The Economist

He also made clear his expectations.

The New York Times - Sports

A motive has never been made clear.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made clear" to ensure your message is easily understood and leaves no room for misinterpretation. This is especially useful in formal and professional communication.

Common error

While "made clear" is versatile, avoid overusing it in casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "explained" or "clarified" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made clear" functions as a verbal phrase, often used in the passive voice. It signifies that something has been clarified or explained in such a way that it is easily understood. Ludwig examples show its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "made clear" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to indicate that something has been successfully explained or clarified, with the goal of ensuring understanding. Its usage spans a wide range of contexts, from formal to informal, but is most common in news, media and scientific writing. When writing, consider alternative phrases such as "clarified" or "explained" for conciseness, and avoid overuse in casual conversation. Ultimately, effective use of "made clear" contributes to clear and unambiguous communication in any context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Made explicit

Focuses on removing any ambiguity by stating directly.

Clarified

Single word replacement for a more concise expression.

Explained

Single word replacement focuses more on the act of explaining.

Stated explicitly

More formal, emphasizes directness and lack of ambiguity.

Articulated clearly

Emphasizes the manner of expression, highlighting precision.

Expressed distinctly

Focuses on the clarity and separateness of the expression.

Specified

Implies providing precise details or conditions.

Illuminated

Figurative; suggests something was previously obscure.

Delineated

Focuses on outlining or defining something precisely.

Spelled out

More informal, suggests a detailed and thorough explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "made clear" in a sentence?

You can use "made clear" to indicate that something has been clearly explained or communicated. For example, "The instructions were "made clear" before the test began".

What are some alternatives to "made clear"?

Alternatives to "made clear" include "clarified", "explained", or "stated explicitly", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it better to say "made clear" or "clarified"?

Both "made clear" and "clarified" are correct, but "clarified" might be more concise. The choice depends on the context and desired emphasis. "Made clear" can sometimes imply a more deliberate effort to ensure understanding.

What's the difference between "made clear" and "made explicit"?

"Made clear" generally means something is easily understood, while "made explicit" means something is stated directly and without any ambiguity. "Made explicit" is stronger in its removal of any room for misinterpretation.