ostensibly transparent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ostensibly transparent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that appears to be clear or open, but may not actually be so upon closer examination. Example: "The company's policies are ostensibly transparent, yet many employees feel there is a lack of genuine openness."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Indeed, for many demonstrators the Maidan Revolution signified the need to move toward the European Union, where people enjoy the rule of law and government institutions are ostensibly more transparent.

Huffington Post

There is something hilarious about Staunton's mock modesty as she squats next to Sloane on a sofa in flimsily transparent nightie ostensibly doing her knitting.

The Guardian

Ostensibly this aids transparency.

The Economist

Others say the objective is simply to disclose corruption within the Vatican's financial institutions, though in recent years the Holy See has ostensibly made efforts to be more transparent in its economic dealings (mere smoke screens, skeptics say).

The New York Times

Dalbavie's music is ostensibly abstract, yet it had a transparent, elemental quality that seemed to relate to air, breath and wind, perhaps a deliberate conceit given the nature of the flute.

The Guardian - Music

He's trying to ban the use of certain kinds of studies in the rule-making process, ostensibly to make the process more transparent, but this will just serve to make it more difficult for the agency to issue new regulations.

The New Yorker

Meanwhile, the Senate's reform provisions — ostensibly aimed at making the M.T.A. more transparent — look instead like a classic Albany power grab.

The New York Times

Ostensibly, mischief is limited by diaphanous drapes.

Forbes

But the white paper, while ostensibly aimed at making China's military development more transparent, did not discuss the carrier project.

The New York Times

Naturally, Shelby et al. have now promised to block him as well — ostensibly because the bureau requires "structural changes" to make it more "transparent".

The New York Times

For all the layers of irony on I Love You, Honeybear, the biggest irony of all might be that such an ostensibly knotty and confusing album's real strength lies in something as prosaic and transparent as its author's ability to write a beautiful melody – whoever he is.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ostensibly transparent" when you want to express that something appears open and clear, but there is a possibility that it's not truly so. It adds a layer of skepticism to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "ostensibly transparent" simply to sound sophisticated. Ensure it accurately reflects a situation where something presents as clear but may not be. If true clarity exists, opt for simpler terms like "clear" or "open".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ostensibly transparent" functions as a descriptive modifier. "Ostensibly" modifies "transparent", adding a layer of qualification and suggesting that the transparency might be superficial or not entirely genuine. Based on Ludwig's analysis, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ostensibly transparent" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something that appears to be clear and open but may not genuinely be so. As noted by Ludwig, it carries a hint of skepticism, implying a potential facade. While syntactically valid, its absence from the provided examples suggests a rare occurrence. Consider alternatives like "apparently clear" or "seemingly transparent" depending on the desired nuance. When you want to express skepticism about the genuineness of something's clearness, use it carefully to avoid being misunderstood or sounding unnecessarily pretentious.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Apparently clear

Emphasizes the outward appearance of clarity, without necessarily implying deception.

Seemingly transparent

Highlights the perceived transparency, suggesting it may not be entirely genuine upon closer inspection.

Putatively clear

Indicates that the clarity is claimed or alleged, potentially with doubt.

Allegedly transparent

Implies that the transparency is stated but might be questionable or unproven.

Nominally clear

Suggests that the clarity exists in name only and might not be evident in practice.

Superficially transparent

Highlights that the transparency is only on the surface and lacks depth.

Presumably clear

Indicates that the clarity is assumed, but further investigation might be needed.

Visibly transparent

Focuses on the outward appearance of transparency that can be observed.

Professedly transparent

Highlights the act of claiming transparency, potentially masking a lack of genuine openness.

Supposedly clear

Indicates that the clarity is based on hearsay or general belief, not necessarily fact.

FAQs

What does "ostensibly transparent" mean?

The phrase "ostensibly transparent" means something appears to be clear and open, but there's a hidden implication that it might not actually be the case upon closer inspection.

When should I use the phrase "ostensibly transparent"?

Use "ostensibly transparent" when you want to express that something seems open, but you suspect there might be hidden agendas or a lack of genuine clarity. It adds a touch of skepticism.

Are there alternatives to "ostensibly transparent" that I can use?

Yes, alternatives include "apparently clear", "seemingly transparent", or "supposedly clear", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does "ostensibly transparent" differ from simply saying "transparent"?

"Transparent" implies genuine openness and clarity. "Ostensibly transparent" suggests a facade of openness, hinting that something might be concealed or misleading. It's about perceived versus actual clarity.