not clear that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not clear that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing uncertainty or ambiguity regarding a statement or situation. Example: "It is not clear that the proposed changes will lead to the desired outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it is not clear that will happen.

The New York Times - Tech

But it is not clear that is has the second.

eLife

It is not clear that they will.

The New York Times

It's not clear that they will.

The New York Times

It is not clear that they do.

The Economist

It's not clear that it's incorrect.

The Economist

But it's not clear that he can.

The New Yorker

Sessions does not clear that bar.

The Washington Post

It's not clear that they get it.

MIT Technology Review

It's not clear that black voters agree.

The Washington Post

It's not clear that the extinction was large.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not clear that" to introduce a degree of skepticism or uncertainty when presenting information or arguments. This can enhance your objectivity and avoid making overly assertive claims.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "It is not clear that". Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms like "It remains uncertain whether" or restructuring the sentence to express the uncertainty differently.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not clear that" functions as an epistemic hedge, softening claims and conveying uncertainty. Ludwig examples showcase its use in qualifying statements and expressing doubt across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not clear that" is a versatile phrase used to express uncertainty or a lack of definitive evidence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It's prevalent in news, science, and academic contexts, serving as an epistemic hedge to qualify claims and maintain objectivity. While alternatives like "uncertain whether" exist, "not clear that" strikes a balance between formality and accessibility, making it suitable for diverse writing scenarios. Remember to avoid overuse and consider synonyms to enhance the variety of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's uncertain whether

Replaces "not clear" with "uncertain", focusing on the doubt surrounding a situation.

it remains doubtful that

Emphasizes the lingering doubt about a particular outcome or statement.

it is questionable whether

Suggests that the truth or validity of something is being challenged or doubted.

it is up for debate whether

Highlights that the matter is still being discussed and no consensus has been reached.

the evidence doesn't suggest that

Directly addresses the lack of supportive evidence for a claim.

there is no consensus that

Indicates a lack of agreement among experts or relevant parties.

it is open to interpretation whether

Suggests that the meaning or outcome is subjective and can vary.

it's hard to say if

Uses an informal tone to express uncertainty about a particular matter.

it's difficult to ascertain whether

Emphasizes the difficulty in determining the truth or accuracy of something.

the situation is ambiguous

Focuses on the ambiguous nature of the situation, making it difficult to draw clear conclusions.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "not clear that" to sound more formal?

Consider alternatives like "it remains uncertain whether", "it is questionable whether", or "the evidence does not definitively suggest that" for a more formal tone.

What's the difference between "not clear that" and "uncertain whether"?

While both phrases convey doubt, "not clear that" is a more general expression of uncertainty, whereas "uncertain whether" specifically questions a condition or outcome.

When is it appropriate to use "not clear that" in academic writing?

Use "not clear that" when presenting research findings or arguments where there is a lack of conclusive evidence or when acknowledging limitations in your analysis.

Are there any situations where "not clear that" is considered too informal?

In highly formal contexts, such as legal documents or official reports, consider using more precise language like "it has not been definitively established that" or "there is no conclusive evidence to suggest that" instead of "not clear that".