seems to be clear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seems to be clear" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something appears to be understandable or unambiguous, often in the context of communication or instructions. Example: "After reviewing the guidelines, it seems to be clear that everyone is expected to submit their reports by Friday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Only one thing seems to be clear.

The Economist

Americans as a whole consume too much sugar, that much seems to be clear.

The New York Times

"We support the campaign, since there seems to be clear evidence that it has reduced Sids.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It seems to be clear that this is a further consequence of the man-made global warming with global consequences.

The Guardian

One thing seems to be clear: crystal use compromises the immune system, and for people with H.I.V. this is particularly dangerous.

The New Yorker

The way seems to be clear now that the local community board has voted 23 to 9 in favor of the monument.

The New York Times

With Bitcoin, on the other hand, Mr. Chou said that road seems to be clear for big institutions to get involved.

The New York Times - Tech

Already some of those same players are up to similarly greedy shenanigans again now that the coast seems to be clear.

The New York Times

It seems to be clear that in this case bidders do not bid over their own valuation, and the winner of the auction is the bidder with the highest valuation who calls his/her bid first.

Cornell University

What seems to be clear in the medical literature is that women with HG have a lower risk for miscarriage, a reassuring point that we make sure to emphasize to patients.

Yale University

PARIS — With all the drama surrounding the British phone hacking scandal and the demise of the disgraced News of the World, one message seems to be clear: some things should not appear in print.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seems to be clear", ensure that the statement following it aligns logically with the evidence presented. Avoid using it to introduce contradictory or unsupported information.

Common error

Avoid using "seems to be clear" for statements that are already widely known or self-evident. This can make your writing seem redundant or condescending. Instead, reserve it for points that require some explanation or context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems to be clear" functions as an epistemic marker, indicating the speaker or writer's assessment of the certainty or clarity of a situation or statement. Ludwig's examples show it used to introduce conclusions based on evidence that may not be definitive.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seems to be clear" is a commonly used phrase that indicates a statement is likely true based on evidence, but not definitively proven. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and versatile across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. Use it to introduce conclusions that are well-supported but may still have some degree of uncertainty, while avoiding overuse in self-evident situations. When using it, remember alternatives include "appears evident" or "is apparently obvious".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears evident

Replaces "seems" with "appears" and "clear" with "evident", suggesting a visual confirmation of clarity.

is rather unambiguous

Highlights the lack of ambiguity, focusing on the singleness of interpretation.

is seemingly understood

Focuses on the understanding aspect rather than just clarity, indicating a general comprehension.

is fairly definite

Indicates a level of definiteness that is considerable, though not absolute.

is apparently obvious

Emphasizes the obviousness of the clarity, adding a layer of apparentness.

is quite plain

Uses 'plain' to emphasize the easiness of understanding, indicating no complexity.

is reasonably certain

Highlights the certainty involved, though with a qualifier of 'reasonable'.

is mostly figured out

Indicates that understanding has been achieved, but not necessarily universally or completely.

is generally accepted

Emphasizes the widespread agreement on a point, implying clarity through consensus.

is largely resolved

Suggests the issue is mostly settled or clarified.

FAQs

How can I use "seems to be clear" in a sentence?

You can use "seems to be clear" to introduce a statement that is likely true based on available information, but not definitively proven. For instance, "It "seems to be clear" that the new policy will affect all departments."

What are some alternatives to "seems to be clear"?

Alternatives include "appears evident", "is apparently obvious", or "is seemingly understood", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "seems to be clear" or "is clear"?

"Seems to be clear" introduces a degree of uncertainty or observation, whereas "is clear" implies certainty. Use "seems to be clear" when the information is likely true but not completely confirmed. Using "is clear" indicates there is no space for doubts.

When is it inappropriate to use "seems to be clear"?

It's best to avoid "seems to be clear" when the information is already well-known or self-evident. Additionally, avoid using it if you are about to present contradictory information or if the statement is based on speculation rather than evidence.