not very clear

USAGE SUMMARY

"not very clear" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when speaking or writing about something that is difficult to understand or decipher. For example, "The instructions in the manual were not very clear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That part's not very clear.

The New York Times - Sports

Legally it's not very clear cut".

Independent

What you said is not very clear.

The New York Times

This is not very clear.

The Guardian

That's not very clear what that means.

The Guardian

I do realise it's not very clear.

The Guardian - Film

It's not very clear how this happened.

The New York Times

The picture is not very clear; the picture is hazy".

The New York Times

"It's not very clear what the attempt was," he said.

The New York Times

The rules are just not very clear.

BBC

However, their results were not very clear.

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not very clear", consider specifying what aspects lack clarity to provide more context to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "not very clear" as a generic dismissal. Instead, identify specific points of confusion to provide constructive feedback or guide further inquiry.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not very clear" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a lack of clarity or understanding regarding that noun. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English, which confirms its accepted grammatical function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not very clear" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a lack of clarity or understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad usability. Found across diverse contexts like News & Media and Scientific publications, this phrase effectively communicates ambiguity. While versatile, it's best practice to specify what lacks clarity for enhanced communication. For scenarios demanding more precision, consider alternatives like "somewhat ambiguous" or "rather vague". Remember, specifying the source of confusion provides valuable context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat unclear

This uses a synonym of ambiguous, "unclear", while adding "somewhat" to soften the statement.

rather vague

Replaces "clear" with "vague", indicating a lack of precision or detail.

a bit hazy

Employs "hazy" to suggest a lack of sharpness or definition, implying a degree of uncertainty.

not entirely obvious

Substitutes "clear" with "obvious", highlighting that something isn't immediately apparent.

a little murky

Uses the word "murky" to describe a lack of clarity, often implying a confusing or complicated situation.

somewhat ambiguous

Uses "ambiguous" to indicate a lack of clarity, focusing on the potential for multiple interpretations.

not particularly well-defined

Replaces "clear" with "well-defined", indicating a lack of sharp boundaries or details.

partially obscure

Uses "obscure" to suggest something is hidden or difficult to perceive fully.

imperfectly understood

Rephrases to focus on the understanding of a concept, implying partial but incomplete comprehension.

less than transparent

Employs "transparent" to imply a lack of openness or directness, hinting at possible concealment.

FAQs

What does "not very clear" mean?

The phrase "not very clear" means something is difficult to understand or lacks detail, making it hard to interpret or comprehend fully.

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

You might say, "The instructions were "not very clear", so I had trouble assembling the furniture" or "The speaker's point was "not very clear", leaving the audience confused".

What are some alternatives to saying "not very clear"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "somewhat ambiguous", "a bit hazy", or "rather vague" to express a similar idea.

Is it better to say "not very clear" or "unclear"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but ""not very clear"" might be perceived as slightly less direct or harsh than simply saying "unclear". The best choice depends on the desired tone and context.