ostensibly clear that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ostensibly clear that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that something appears to be clear or obvious, but there may be underlying complexities or doubts. Example: "While it is ostensibly clear that the project will succeed, there are several factors that could impact its outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

For example, what is ostensibly clear is that social media existed before Web 2.0 first coined by O'Reilly in 2005.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

The music might feel rhythmically stable on the surface, but having the guitar lines work with tiny microintervals creates clashing harmonic overtones that lurk busily below the surface – like the blurring of ostensibly clear lines in a Bridget Riley painting.

The Guardian - Music

Last month two board members, including Al Gore, America's former vice-president, issued a report ostensibly clearing Apple's boss of responsibility, but confusingly and contradictorily detailing bad options grants (and even a fictitious board meeting) that involved Mr Jobs.Mr Jobs will not be in the clear until regulators give their own verdict.

The Economist

When it is clear that Tom and Beth, ostensibly the cad and the victim, have found renewed lives with new partners, Karen and Gabe are stripped of the protective roles they played as best friends.

The New York Times

The scoring instructions make it clear that this item is ostensibly included to identify an individual's belief in special creation.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

First, in going through the discussion area, it's clear that the article, while ostensibly about standards, is really a political battle between pro and anti-Microsoft factions.

TechCrunch

At a press conference at Trump Tower ostensibly about infrastructure, the president soon made it clear that he stood by his Saturday comments and had evidently denounced neo-Nazis on Monday only with reluctance.

The Guardian

Looking at their branches in France, Spain, and the Czech Republic, it quickly becomes clear that this European network of fascists ostensibly looking to help Assad may also be securing money from the Syrian government, helping them to spread their niche philosophy.

Vice

(Tweaking those programs, or simply making them more massive in scale, might ostensibly result in a higher phi, but it's not clear that it would make them more conscious).

The New Yorker

Although he ostensibly cashiered him for financial shenanigans, Lincoln had made it very clear that emancipation was impermissible.

The New York Times

He went on to note that without Section 702, intelligence agencies would have to obtain a court order issued due to probable cause — ostensibly the bar that needs to be cleared in order to surveil U.S. citizens.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ostensibly clear that" when you want to suggest something appears straightforward but might have hidden complexities or uncertainties. It adds a layer of nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "ostensibly clear that" in situations where something is genuinely and unequivocally clear. Overuse can make your writing sound pretentious or unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ostensibly clear that" functions as a connector, linking an apparent truth with a subsequent explanation or contrasting viewpoint. It sets up an expectation of further analysis or a deeper dive into the subject matter. Ludwig AI examples show it frequently used to introduce statements that are not as straightforward as they seem.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Ostensibly clear that" is a phrase used to introduce statements that seem obvious but might hide complexities. While grammatically correct, this connector functions to prompt a deeper look. It's suitable for neutral to slightly formal contexts, often appearing in News & Media, Science, and Business. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Consider alternative phrasing if genuine clarity is intended, to avoid unnecessary complexity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ostensibly obvious that

Replaces 'clear' with 'obvious', maintaining the same nuance but with a slight variation in word choice.

ostensibly, it is obvious that

Splits the original phrase, adding 'it is' for clarity.

it appears clear that

Replaces 'ostensibly' with 'it appears', softening the tone and highlighting the appearance of clarity.

it seems clear that

Similar to 'it appears clear', but with a slightly stronger emphasis on personal perception.

apparently, it is clear that

Similar to 'apparently obvious that', but slightly more formal in tone.

apparently obvious that

Replaces 'ostensibly clear' with 'apparently obvious', emphasizing the surface-level obviousness.

seemingly evident that

Substitutes 'ostensibly clear' with 'seemingly evident', focusing on the impression of evidence.

at first glance, it's clear that

Emphasizes that the clarity is based on an initial assessment.

on the surface, it's clear that

Adds a qualifier emphasizing that the clarity is only superficial.

superficially, it's clear that

Highlights the superficial nature of the clarity, suggesting deeper complexities.

FAQs

How can I use "ostensibly clear that" in a sentence?

You can use "ostensibly clear that" to introduce a statement that seems obvious but may have underlying complexities. For example: "It's ostensibly clear that the project will succeed, but there are several risks to consider."

What are some alternatives to "ostensibly clear that"?

Some alternatives to "ostensibly clear that" include "apparently obvious that", "seemingly evident that", or "ostensibly obvious that".

When is it appropriate to use "ostensibly clear that"?

It is appropriate to use "ostensibly clear that" when you want to suggest that something appears to be obvious, but there may be underlying factors or hidden complexities that contradict this initial assessment.

What is the tone of "ostensibly clear that"?

The tone of "ostensibly clear that" is somewhat formal and analytical. It suggests a critical perspective, indicating that appearances might be deceiving.