tolerably clear

USAGE SUMMARY

"tolerably clear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that may not be completely clear or comprehensible, but is still understandable in some way. Example: The instructions were tolerably clear, so I was able to complete the task without much difficulty.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

But some things are becoming tolerably clear.

The New York Times

This juror's sexual orientation seems tolerably clear.

The New York Times

It is tolerably clear that on every fresh occasion there will be an outburst of world indignation, which in itself will encourage Africans to fresh resistance, with or without the instigation of "agitators".Diplomatically, South Africa's isolation is almost complete.

The Economist

By the conclusion of the argument, it seemed tolerably clear that the four members of the court's conservative wing were ready to act now to revise the Grutter decision.

The New York Times

In the second half of the last century, it became tolerably clear that membership in a subversive organization, attendance at its meetings, indoctrination in its methods and espousal of its goals were not by themselves crimes.

The New York Times - Magazine

The first two claims are tolerably clear for present purposes.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The NRDC may not disclose the names of all its contributors, but it's tolerably open about its activities.

Los Angeles Times

In the decades since F.D.R.'s fateful decision, it has become clear that private insurance works tolerably well for people who hold well-paid, steady jobs at large companies especially when the tax authorities don't treat employer-provided health insurance as taxable income.

The New Yorker

Lunch went tolerably well.

The New York Times

Fairly noisy, but tolerably so.

The New York Times

So this episode ended tolerably well.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tolerably clear" when you want to express that something is understandable or evident, but not entirely without ambiguity. It's suitable when a degree of interpretation or effort is still needed for full comprehension.

Common error

Avoid using "tolerably clear" when the subject is unequivocally obvious. Using it in such cases can undermine your credibility by implying a level of ambiguity that doesn't exist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tolerably clear" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing the extent to which something is understandable or evident. As Ludwig AI confirms, it suggests a level of clarity that is acceptable but not absolute.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Academia

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tolerably clear" is an adjectival phrase indicating something that is acceptably but not perfectly understandable. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its versatility in various contexts, although it appears more frequently in News & Media, Science, and Academia. When communicating, it's crucial to use "tolerably clear" appropriately, avoiding overstatement when something is unequivocally obvious, and instead leveraging its ability to convey a nuanced level of clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reasonably obvious

Indicates a slightly stronger degree of clarity than "tolerably clear".

moderately understandable

Focuses on the comprehensibility aspect, suggesting something can be understood with some effort.

fairly evident

Highlights the apparent nature of something, making it noticeable without being completely obvious.

somewhat transparent

Implies that something is easy to see through or understand, but not perfectly so.

passably lucid

Suggests that something is clear enough to be understood, though perhaps not elegantly or perfectly.

acceptably distinct

Focuses on the level of distinction or clarity that is needed to meet a requirement.

adequately defined

Refers to the level of detail and clarity in a definition.

sufficiently explained

Emphasizes that an explanation has reached a point where it is good enough for the purpose at hand.

partially comprehensible

Highlights that only a portion is possible to understand.

relatively straightforward

Suggests that something is uncomplicated in its nature, without being completely simple.

FAQs

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

You can use "tolerably clear" to indicate that something is understandable, but not perfectly so. For example, "The instructions were "tolerably clear", allowing most users to complete the setup."

What are some alternatives to "tolerably clear"?

Alternatives include "reasonably obvious", "moderately understandable", or "fairly evident". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is "tolerably clear" formal or informal?

"Tolerably clear" is neither overly formal nor informal; it fits well in many contexts, but might sound slightly more formal than simply saying "pretty clear".

When is it appropriate to use "tolerably clear" instead of "completely clear"?

Use "tolerably clear" when something is understandable with some effort or interpretation, but not when it's immediately and unambiguously evident. For a situation where something is unequivocally clear, you should say "completely clear" or another similar phrase.