patently clear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'patently clear' is correct and usable in written English.
It means something is obviously true in an unmistakable way. For example: The consequences of not following the instructions were patently clear to everyone in the room.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's patently clear," Standen explains.

The Guardian

One thing is patently clear, though.

The New Yorker

It is patently clear that petitioner was induced by Kalchinian.

Cornell University

This is patently clear in the Harvard case.

The New York Times

That's been patently clear for at least two years.

The New Yorker

Watching Romney mouthing these attack lines, his strategy for this fall was patently clear.

The New Yorker

"It is patently clear that Taylor failed miserably as Phillips's guardian," Justice Ambrosio wrote.

The New York Times

In this context, the appeal of the original Ocean's Eleven becomes patently clear.

The Guardian - Film

However, Hesson made his views on Llong and the Decision Review System patently clear.

The Guardian - Sport

It is patently clear to everyone that these are important issues for both sides.

The Guardian - Opinion

"In short, it seems patently clear that the parties have no basis for an appeal," Judge Rakoff wrote.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "patently clear" when you want to emphasize that something is not just clear, but undeniably and obviously so, leaving no room for doubt or misinterpretation.

Common error

While "patently clear" is widely accepted, it can sound overly formal or pompous in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "obvious" or "clear" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "patently clear" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a state of obviousness or unambiguity. It suggests that something is undeniably evident, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

18%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "patently clear" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to emphasize that something is undeniably obvious. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, including news, academia, and science, but it is essential to consider the level of formality and choose simpler alternatives in casual settings. While it is frequently used as shown from Ludwig's examples, remember that context matters. Its overuse can come across as condescending or overly formal. Key alternatives include "clearly evident", "plainly obvious", and "undeniably clear".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Patently obvious

Synonymous, reinforces the obvious nature with a slight emphasis.

Clearly evident

Replaces "patently" with "clearly", emphasizing ease of perception.

Plainly obvious

Uses "plainly" to highlight the straightforward nature of something being obvious.

Undeniably clear

Emphasizes that the clarity is so strong that it cannot be denied.

Blatantly obvious

Adds a sense of something being conspicuous and impossible to ignore.

Evidently obvious

Highlights the quality of something being apparent from the evidence.

Unmistakably clear

Focuses on the lack of ambiguity or possibility of misinterpretation.

Readily apparent

Indicates something is easily and quickly perceived.

Transparently clear

Implies clarity through the ease of seeing through something.

Manifestly obvious

Uses "manifestly" to denote something that is plainly revealed or displayed.

FAQs

How can I use "patently clear" in a sentence?

Use "patently clear" to emphasize that something is obviously true or easily understood, as in, "It was "patently clear" that the project would fail without more funding".

What are some alternatives to "patently clear"?

You can use alternatives like "clearly evident", "plainly obvious", or "undeniably clear" to express similar meanings.

Is "patently clear" formal or informal?

"Patently clear" leans towards the formal side. While acceptable in many contexts, consider simpler alternatives like "obvious" or "clear" for informal settings.

Which is correct, "patently clear" or "patently obvious"?

Both "patently clear" and "patently obvious" are correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on your preferred style and the specific context.