not at all clear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not at all clear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express confusion or lack of understanding regarding a statement or situation. Example: "The instructions provided were not at all clear, leaving many team members unsure of their tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Actually, that's not at all clear.

The New York Times

This is not at all clear.

Independent

It is not at all clear.

The Economist

The answer is not at all clear.

The Economist

That's not at all clear.

Yale University

The in vivo situation is not at all clear.

Chemico-Biological Interactions

It is not at all clear which will happen first.

The New York Times

And it's not at all clear that Hillary should.

The New Yorker

The answer is, sadly, not at all clear".

Independent

How I will do that is not at all clear.

The Economist

But it's not at all clear it will finish it.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not at all clear" to express uncertainty or ambiguity when you want to emphasize that something is definitively lacking clarity. It's stronger than saying something is "unclear".

Common error

While "not at all clear" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language with synonyms like "ambiguous" or "uncertain" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not at all clear" functions as a qualifier, indicating the degree to which something lacks clarity or certainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys a state of ambiguity or uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

25%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not at all clear" is a versatile qualifier used to express a significant lack of clarity or understanding. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and common usage across various contexts. Its frequency is high, especially in News & Media, Academia, and Science. While grammatically sound, varying your language with synonyms like ""entirely ambiguous"" or ""completely unclear"" can enhance your writing. Be cautious about overuse, maintaining a balance for optimal readability. Understanding these nuances will enable you to use "not at all clear" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entirely ambiguous

Emphasizes complete uncertainty or vagueness, differing in intensity and formality.

completely unclear

Highlights a total absence of clarity, using different adverbs for emphasis.

patently vague

Indicates obvious ambiguity or lack of precision, suggesting a more evident lack of clarity.

distinctly uncertain

Conveys a notable lack of certainty, focusing on the uncertainty aspect.

decidedly ambiguous

Highlights ambiguity with a sense of determination or emphasis.

far from obvious

Suggests that something is not easily perceived or understood, presenting a contrast.

remains unresolved

Emphasizes the lack of a solution or conclusion, shifting the focus to the state of being unresolved.

open to interpretation

Indicates that the meaning is subjective and can vary, highlighting the potential for multiple understandings.

subject to debate

Suggests that the matter is disputable and lacks a definitive answer, focusing on ongoing discussion.

up in the air

Implies that the outcome is uncertain and undecided, adding a more informal tone.

FAQs

How can I use "not at all clear" in a sentence?

You can use "not at all clear" to express a lack of understanding or certainty about something. For example, "The instructions were "not at all clear", so I didn't know what to do".

What are some alternatives to "not at all clear"?

Alternatives include "entirely ambiguous", "completely unclear", or "far from obvious". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "not clear" or "not at all clear"?

"Not at all clear" emphasizes the lack of clarity more strongly than simply "not clear". It's a matter of degree; "not at all clear" suggests a more significant absence of understanding.

What's the difference between "not at all clear" and "ambiguous"?

"Not at all clear" is a phrase that expresses a lack of clarity, while "ambiguous" is a single word that describes something having multiple possible meanings or being uncertain. "Ambiguous" is often used in more formal contexts.