not clear enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not clear enough" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to express that something is not understandable. For example, "I'm sorry, but your explanation is not clear enough for me to understand the concept."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Still, it was not clear enough.

The New Yorker

"The message was not clear enough," he added.

The New York Times

Two more crucial scenes are not clear enough.

The New York Times - Arts

However the formation mechanism and reaction sequences of the system are not clear enough.

International Journal of Refractory Metals and Hard Materials

But what factors motivate students to use EIT more was not clear enough.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Whether students draw upon more cognitive resources or more motivational resources is not clear enough.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

The stud mechanical failure appearance and its development are not clear enough in this condition.

Engineering Failure Analysis

Many agreements include clauses that are not clear enough to be enforceable.

Columbia University

However, a complete understanding of the dynamics of interactions between plants and ENMs is not clear enough yet.

Plant Physiology and Biochemistry

But McBride said that Hoenig's advice was not clear enough or strong enough.

The New York Times

If that was not clear enough, she returned to the point later in her address.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not clear enough", consider specifying what exactly lacks clarity. For instance, instead of saying "the instructions were not clear enough", specify "the instructions were not clear enough about the assembly process".

Common error

Avoid using "not clear enough" as a generic critique without identifying the specific aspect needing clarification. Always provide context or further explanation to make your feedback actionable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not clear enough" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates that something does not possess the required level of clarity for proper understanding. As Ludwig shows, it's used to express dissatisfaction with the comprehensibility of information, instructions, or images.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

34%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not clear enough" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a lack of clarity or understanding. As shown by Ludwig, it's widely used across diverse domains, including science, news, and academia, highlighting its versatility. While generally neutral in register, it's important to use the phrase thoughtfully by specifying what exactly is "not clear enough" to avoid vagueness. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is suitable for a wide array of situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insufficiently clear

Replaces the idiomatic "enough" with a more formal adverb. Slightly more formal.

lacking sufficient clarity

Emphasizes the absence of clarity as a key element.

not sufficiently explicit

Focuses on the lack of directness or detail in the communication.

not adequately explained

Highlights the lack of proper explanation or detailing.

not easily understood

Focuses on the difficulty a person might have in comprehending something.

rather vague

Suggests a lack of precision or detail.

somewhat ambiguous

Indicates that the message could be interpreted in more than one way.

poorly defined

Emphasizes the absence of distinct boundaries or characteristics.

not fully transparent

Suggests a lack of openness or straightforwardness, especially regarding intentions or motives.

leaves something to be desired

Uses an understatement to imply that clarity is lacking.

FAQs

How can I use "not clear enough" in a sentence?

You can use "not clear enough" to indicate a lack of clarity or understanding. For example, "The explanation was "not clear enough" for me to grasp the concept".

What are some alternatives to "not clear enough"?

Alternatives include "insufficiently clear", "not sufficiently explicit", or "lacking sufficient clarity", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "not clear enough" grammatically correct?

Yes, "not clear enough" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to express a lack of clarity or understanding.

What's the difference between "not clear enough" and "not specific enough"?

"Not clear enough" indicates a general lack of comprehensibility, while "not specific enough" implies a lack of detail or precision. The choice depends on whether the issue is understanding the general idea or the finer points. Use "not specific enough" when more details are needed to reduce ambiguity.