to be clear

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be clear" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when you are writing something to ensure that the reader understands the point that you are trying to make. For example: "To be clear, I'm suggesting that we start the project next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To be clear.

The New York Times

Just to be clear.

The New Yorker

It had to be clear".

The New York Times

"It needs to be clear".

The New York Times

I expect it to be clear.

The New York Times

Hence his Thursday tweet: To be clear.

The New Yorker

To be clear, I love Twitter.

The New York Times

"To be clear," the post read.

The New York Times

To be clear – we were not asked.

Independent

Only one thing seems to be clear.

The Economist

But we have to be clear.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be clear" at the beginning of a sentence to immediately signal that you're about to provide a clarification or restatement. This helps guide the reader's focus.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "to be clear". This can make your writing sound repetitive and less engaging. Instead, vary your sentence structure and use different clarifying phrases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be clear" primarily functions as a discourse marker. It introduces a statement intended to clarify a previous point, correct a misunderstanding, or emphasize a specific idea. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a common and grammatically sound expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

26%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

8%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be clear" serves as a versatile discourse marker used to introduce clarifications, corrections, or restatements across a wide range of contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and very common. While it's most frequently found in news and media, academic writing, and formal business communications, it maintains a generally neutral register. For writers, "to be clear" is a valuable tool for preventing misunderstandings and highlighting crucial information. However, it's important to use it judiciously to avoid redundancy and maintain an engaging writing style. Consider alternatives like "to clarify" or "for the avoidance of doubt" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to clarify

Focuses directly on making something easier to understand, omitting the personal stance.

let me clarify

Adds a personal element, indicating the speaker's intent to provide clarification.

for the avoidance of doubt

A more formal phrase used to prevent potential misunderstandings.

to put it another way

Indicates a rephrasing of the same idea for better understanding.

in other words

Offers a simpler explanation of a previously stated point.

to reiterate

Focuses on repeating a point to ensure it is understood.

just to recap

Suggests summarizing the main points for clarity.

what I mean to say is

Emphasizes the speaker's intended meaning, correcting potential misinterpretations.

the point is

Highlights the essential aspect of an argument or statement.

in essence

Captures the core idea or meaning of something complex.

FAQs

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

You can use "to be clear" to introduce a clarification, correction, or restatement of a previous point. For example: "To be clear, I am not suggesting we abandon the project, but rather modify our approach."

What phrases can I use instead of "to be clear"?

You can use alternatives like "to clarify", "let me clarify", or "for the avoidance of doubt" depending on the context.

Is it okay to start a paragraph with "to be clear"?

Yes, starting a paragraph with "to be clear" can be an effective way to signal the main point or intention of the paragraph, especially when addressing potential misunderstandings or complex topics.

What's the difference between "to be clear" and "clearly"?

"To be clear" is often used as a sentence opener to indicate a forthcoming clarification, while "clearly" is an adverb that emphasizes the obviousness of a statement. For example: "To be clear, I support the proposal" vs. "The evidence clearly supports the proposal".