supposedly clear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "supposedly clear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is claimed to be clear, but there may be doubt or skepticism about that clarity. Example: "The instructions were supposedly clear, but many of us still had questions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Another priority is to make philosophers understand better the psychological effects which interfere with their supposedly clear, rational thinking.

The Guardian - Opinion

Though plausible initially, the device of introducing non-observational terms in this way gave rise to a number of difficulties which impugned the supposedly clear distinctions between logical and empirical matters and analytic and synthetic statements (Hempel 1951, 1963).

SEP

"But I still find comfort in a supposedly clear vision of my future.

Vice

The guy charged with painting lurid graffiti across Eurydice Dixon's memorial has told the Age he had a supposedly clear and logical reason.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Many of those supposedly cleared were later arrested on suspicion of phone hacking and other charges.

The New York Times

In September a big NATO offensive, Operation Medusa, supposedly cleared out the Taliban.

The Economist

They were supposedly cleared up when he went to the World Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

Banks' widespread sloppy record-keeping raises the question: When title to a property is supposedly cleared and transferred to the buyer, is it truly clear and unencumbered?

The New York Times

Since the 1990s, about 20 babies who supposedly cleared the virus have been reported in medical journals, but each case had doubters.

The New York Times - Health

Inhaling steam or humidified air — a cold remedy as old as the steam kettle — supposedly clears congestion, improves breathing and kills off cold viruses, which are sensitive to heat.

The New York Times - Health

The attack took place not in a wild tribal area but in the Swat Valley, a northern district where the Taliban was supposedly cleared out by the Pakistani army in 2009.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "supposedly clear" to introduce an element of doubt or skepticism about the claimed clarity of something. This can add nuance to your writing and invite the reader to question assumptions.

Common error

Avoid using "supposedly clear" simply as a filler phrase. Ensure there is a genuine reason to question the clarity of the subject you are describing. If something is genuinely clear, avoid using the term, as it implies uncertainty where none exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "supposedly clear" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by an adjective. The adverb "supposedly" modifies the adjective "clear", indicating that the clarity being described is not necessarily genuine or verifiable. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "supposedly clear" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that adds nuance to your writing by introducing an element of skepticism. As pointed out by Ludwig AI, the phrase is used when something is claimed to be clear, but there's a reason to question that clarity. Its register is generally neutral, with prominent use in news and media and science contexts. While "supposedly clear" is a valid phrase, using alternatives such as "apparently obvious" or "so-called clear" can enhance your writing. Remember to use the phrase judiciously, only when you truly intend to express doubt about the stated clarity of something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

So-called clear

Directly challenges the notion of clarity.

Apparently obvious

Emphasizes that something seems obvious but might not be upon closer inspection.

Seemingly unambiguous

Highlights a surface-level lack of ambiguity that may not hold true.

Ostensibly obvious

Implies that something appears obvious on the surface, but it is not necessarily the case.

Putatively distinct

Suggests a claimed distinction that is open to question.

Presumably transparent

Implies an assumption of transparency that might not be warranted.

Purportedly evident

Emphasizes that something is presented as evident, but there's skepticism.

Reportedly straightforward

Indicates that something is described as straightforward, but the speaker is relying on second-hand information.

Allegedly lucid

Highlights the questionable lucidity of something, implying doubt.

Nominally clear

Suggests the clarity exists in name only.

FAQs

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

You can use "supposedly clear" to express doubt about the clarity of something that is claimed to be clear. For example, "The instructions were "supposedly clear", but many users still had questions."

What are some alternatives to "supposedly clear"?

Alternatives include phrases like "apparently obvious", "seemingly unambiguous", or "so-called clear", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "supposedly clear" and "apparently clear"?

"Supposedly clear" indicates that something is claimed to be clear, but there is reason to doubt it. "Apparently clear" suggests that something appears clear at first glance, but this may not be the case upon closer examination.

Is it always appropriate to use "supposedly clear"?

No, it's not always appropriate. Only use "supposedly clear" when you want to express skepticism or doubt about the stated clarity of something. If there's no reason to doubt the clarity, a more straightforward description is better.