to know clearly

USAGE SUMMARY

"to know clearly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express understanding as to the details of a particular matter. For example, "I need to know clearly what my responsibilities are for this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The Russian people seem to know clearly where the power lies.

The New York Times

"Barak has to know clearly that he has to stop settlement and that we cannot go forward to negotiations with settlement activity continuing," the speaker of the Palestinian legislature, Ahmed Qorei, told the conference.

The Guardian

It is impossible to know clearly what a Bush presidency would be like from his years as governor, in part because Mr. Bush has held office for just five years and has never been tested by a recession or other crisis.

The New York Times

"The North Koreans want to know clearly that the Russians will be on their side" if the administration starts to put together a coalition against the North, said Alexandre Mansourov, who worked in the embassy as a Soviet diplomat in the 1980's.

The New York Times

Of all existing things all that God permits us to know clearly and distinctly is (again according to both Descartes and Spinoza) that their nature consists either in thinking or in extension.

SEP

In your heart is the courage to know clearly a way forward.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

If you understand why you want to have sex and know clearly who your sexual partner will be and when to have sex, losing your virginity should never be a problem".

Huffington Post

… If they want to help us, how could they agree to work with people they know clearly were not chosen by the community?

Human Resources for Health

If they find that anything you've said is not true, they won't know clearly what to trust at all.

WikiHow

I think, you know, clearly, this company needs to equitize its balance sheet.

Forbes

You know clearly that will take a number of years to implement.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to know clearly" when you want to emphasize the importance of understanding something without any ambiguity or confusion. For instance, "It's vital to know clearly what the risks are before proceeding."

Common error

Avoid using "to know clearly" in very informal conversations; simpler phrases like "to understand" or "to be aware" might be more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "I need to know clearly when you'll arrive", say "I need to know when you'll arrive".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to know clearly" functions primarily as an infinitive phrase that expresses a purpose or intention. As Ludwig AI indicates, it highlights the importance of having a distinct and unambiguous understanding of a matter.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to know clearly" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that emphasizes the importance of having a distinct and unambiguous understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, highlighting its role in expressing understanding as to the details of a particular matter. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to professional contexts where precision is valued. Alternatives like "to understand distinctly" or "to perceive precisely" can be used depending on the nuance required. Overusing it in informal settings should be avoided for smoother communication. Remember that while “know” can often imply clarity, adding “clearly” can emphasize the importance of avoiding misunderstanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to understand distinctly

Changes the verb to 'understand' and uses 'distinctly' to emphasize clarity.

to perceive precisely

Replaces 'know' with 'perceive' and 'clearly' with 'precisely', focusing on accurate perception.

to comprehend fully

Emphasizes complete understanding by using 'comprehend fully'.

to grasp definitively

Focuses on a firm grasp of the information, replacing 'know' with 'grasp' and 'clearly' with 'definitively'.

to recognize unambiguously

Highlights the lack of ambiguity in recognition by using 'recognize unambiguously'.

to be acutely aware

Shifts the focus to a heightened state of awareness, emphasizing sharpness of perception.

to ascertain unequivocally

Emphasizes the certainty of the ascertainment, replacing 'know' with 'ascertain' and 'clearly' with 'unequivocally'.

to determine with certainty

Focuses on the act of determining something without doubt, highlighting assuredness.

to be certain of

Emphasizes confidence in knowledge, expressing assurance about the known information.

to have a firm understanding

Highlights the solidity of understanding, emphasizing the depth and reliability of comprehension.

FAQs

How can I use "to know clearly" in a sentence?

Use "to know clearly" when you want to emphasize the importance of having a distinct and unambiguous understanding of something. For example, "It is important "to know clearly" what the requirements are before starting the project."

What are some alternatives to "to know clearly"?

Alternatives include "to understand distinctly", "to perceive precisely", or "to comprehend fully", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "to know clearly"?

While "know" often implies clarity, adding "clearly" can emphasize the importance of avoiding any misunderstanding. Whether it's redundant depends on the context; sometimes the emphasis is valuable.

Which is correct: "to know clearly" or "to clearly know"?

Both constructions are grammatically correct, but "to know clearly" is generally preferred and more common. The adverb "clearly" usually follows the verb it modifies, but it can sometimes precede it for emphasis.