made it clear

USAGE SUMMARY

"made it clear" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to show that you have stated something clearly and unambiguously, e.g. "She made it clear that she was not interested in pursuing a romantic relationship".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He made it clear".

The New Yorker

They never made it clear.

Independent

She made it clear.

The New Yorker

I've made it clear.

The Guardian - Sport

Employers have made it clear to us.

The New York Times

"They've made it clear," he said.

The New York Times

Noel made it clear in the Yahoo!

Independent

SCALISE: We've made it clear.

The Washington Post

But Etgar made it clear.

The New Yorker

"We could've made it clear," Cech said.

Independent

He also made it clear why.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made it clear" when you want to emphasize that something was communicated in an unambiguous and easily understandable manner, leaving no room for misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "made it clear" when the clarity is already implied by the context. For instance, instead of saying "The instructions were explicit and made it clear what to do", simply state "The instructions were explicit".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made it clear" functions as a declarative expression, indicating that something was communicated in an unambiguous and easily understandable manner. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a perfectly valid phrase. The examples provided showcase its use in conveying clarity and explicitness across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science & Research

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "made it clear" is a versatile and frequently used phrase to convey that something has been communicated unambiguously. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. With a neutral register and high frequency in news and academic sources, it serves as an effective way to emphasize clarity and prevent misinterpretation. Remember to avoid overuse in redundant contexts and consider alternatives like "stated explicitly" or "indicated plainly" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stated explicitly

Emphasizes direct and unambiguous expression, differing from "made it clear" by focusing on the manner of statement.

expressed distinctly

Highlights the clarity and sharpness of the expression, shifting the focus slightly from the act of clarifying to the quality of the expression itself.

indicated plainly

Focuses on the straightforwardness and lack of ambiguity in the indication, unlike "made it clear" which can sometimes imply a process of clarification.

articulated unambiguously

Stresses the precision and clarity of the articulation, suggesting a more formal or deliberate communication style than "made it clear".

conveyed unequivocally

Underscores the lack of doubt or reservation in the message, highlighting the decisiveness of the communication compared to "made it clear".

specified precisely

Emphasizes the exactness and detail of the information given, differing from "made it clear" which can refer to a broader understanding.

communicated directly

Highlights the absence of intermediaries or indirectness in the communication, unlike "made it clear" which may involve some level of explanation.

put forward lucidly

Focuses on the ease of understanding and clarity of the presentation, unlike "made it clear" which emphasizes the removal of confusion.

declared definitively

Stresses the finality and certainty of the declaration, adding a sense of resolution that may not be present in "made it clear".

presented transparently

Highlights the openness and honesty of the presentation, shifting the emphasis from clarity to the lack of hidden information compared to "made it clear".

FAQs

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

You can use "made it clear" to indicate that someone expressed something unambiguously, such as "The CEO "made it clear" that profits needed to increase".

What are some alternatives to "made it clear"?

You can use alternatives such as "stated explicitly", "expressed distinctly", or "indicated plainly" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "made it clear" formal or informal?

"Made it clear" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and the overall tone of your writing. It is frequently used in news articles and academic papers.

What is the difference between "made it clear" and "stated"?

"Made it clear" emphasizes the unambiguous nature of the communication, while "stated" simply indicates that something was said. For instance, someone might have stated something without necessarily "making it clear".