not so clearly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not so clearly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not expressed in a clear manner or is somewhat ambiguous. Example: "The instructions were not so clearly written, leading to confusion among the team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But how about where it's not so clearly win-win?

Harvard Business Review

But the line between truth and manipulation in the editing studio is not so clearly fixed.

The New York Times - Magazine

Biden is not so clearly opposed to abortion and clearly in support of programs that would directly help the poor.

The New Yorker

But there have been other changes, particularly in black family life, that are not so clearly positive.

The New York Times

In contrast, growth of entire branches was not so clearly related to the availability of resources, but showed limitation due to allometric scaling.

Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics

The biphasic facilitatory-then-inhibitory response to azithromycin seen in healthy volunteers is not so clearly detectable in COPD patients, only potential anti-inflammatory effects.

European Journal of Pharmacology

What is not so clearly visible is the damage that storms and years of benign neglect have caused.

The New York Times

But it would be a more subtle play if it were not so clearly arguing a case.

The Guardian

In the South, where sororities have long been a momentous rite of passage, the road to sisterhood is long and not so clearly marked.

The New York Times

Finally, many of us don't easily recognize our most serious moral flaws because they are not so clearly defined in written law and moral tracts.

The New York Times - Science

Germany won the game, clearly by the result but not so clearly in style of playing just because the Germans has been very clinical at counter-attacks.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for conciseness, consider using alternatives like "somewhat unclear" or "less obvious".

Common error

Avoid using "not so clearly" excessively in highly formal or academic writing, where more precise and direct language may be preferred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not so clearly" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically modifying verbs or adjectives to indicate the degree to which something is clear or obvious. It is used to express that something is understandable but not entirely or immediately apparent, as supported by examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not so clearly" is a versatile adverbial modifier used to express a nuanced degree of clarity or obviousness. Ludwig AI indicates that its grammatical status is correct, and it's frequently found in various contexts, including news, science, and academia. When writing, it's beneficial to consider alternatives for conciseness and to avoid overuse in highly formal settings. While grammatically sound and usable, remember it's important to ensure that you're not obscuring your message by using it at times where more direct or simple alternatives such as "somewhat unclear" may be more beneficial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not entirely clear

Replaces "so" with "entirely", softening the emphasis on the degree of clarity.

somewhat unclear

Substitutes "not so clearly" with a more direct expression of lack of clarity.

not particularly clear

Emphasizes the lack of clarity is more than slight, but not entirely absent.

not very clear

A simpler and more direct way of expressing a lack of clarity.

less obvious

Shifts the focus from clarity to the degree of obviousness.

not readily apparent

Indicates that something requires more effort to understand.

not immediately obvious

Similar to "not readily apparent", but with an emphasis on the time it takes to understand.

subtly implied

Suggests the information is communicated indirectly rather than explicitly.

faintly suggested

Indicates a weak or subtle hint rather than a clear statement.

obscurely indicated

Implies that something is difficult to understand due to being vague or unclear.

FAQs

How can I use "not so clearly" in a sentence?

You can use "not so clearly" to express that something is not easily understood or apparent. For example, "The benefits of the new policy are "not so clearly" defined."

What phrases are similar to "not so clearly"?

Similar phrases include "somewhat unclear", "not very clear", or "less obvious". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "not so clearly" appropriate for formal writing?

While "not so clearly" is grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound less formal. Consider using more precise language in academic or business contexts for clarity.

What's the difference between "not so clearly" and "unclear"?

"Unclear" directly states a lack of clarity. "Not so clearly" suggests a degree of clarity exists, but it's limited or requires further examination. For example, something is "not so clearly" defined but is not entirely undefined.