utterly clear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly clear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is completely understandable or obvious. Example: "The instructions were utterly clear, leaving no room for confusion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

The response was utterly clear.

The New Yorker

I want this to be utterly clear.

The Guardian - Film

The water was cold and utterly clear.

The New York Times

But his political message was utterly clear.

The Guardian - Opinion

His style is utterly clear, brusque, funny and polemical in the best way.

The New York Times - Books

THAT mythical beast, homo economicus, is utterly clear about the purpose of work: to get paid.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

But the Gospel According to St Matthew is altogether different: serious, spiritual and utterly clear-eyed about getting to the heart of the Christian gospel.

The Guardian - Film

Macdonald is utterly clear-eyed on both the bird's reptilian qualities and what's in it for her: to "possess the hawk's eye … to live the safe and solitary life" after the shock of her father's sudden death.

The Guardian - Books

This autobiography, like its author, has many faces: important and infuriating, trite and profound, cynical but also optimistic, world-weary and yet often quite naive, racked with anxieties about some things and evangelical in his certitudes about others, intellectually lazy and confused about many issues but more often than not utterly clear-sighted when it comes to the big ones.

The Guardian

Carmen Carrera made that perfectly clear to the utterly stunned interviewers on TMZ.

Vice

FOR THE SWIMMER It's hard to beat Tahiti Beach at the tip of Elbow Cay in the Abacos, a long peninsular stretch of powdery white sand sheltered by palm trees and surrounded by the utterly placid, clear turquoise waters of the Sea of Abaco.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something that might be confusing, avoid using "utterly clear". Instead, opt for language that acknowledges the complexity, then strive to make your explanation "utterly clear".

Common error

Avoid using "utterly clear" when describing subjective opinions or interpretations. While a fact or instruction can be "utterly clear", a personal viewpoint is better described using phrases that acknowledge its subjective nature, such as "in my opinion" or "as I see it".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly clear" functions as an intensifier (utterly) modifying an adjective (clear). According to Ludwig, it emphasizes the quality of being easily understood or obvious. It is commonly used to strengthen the assertion of clarity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "utterly clear" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that serves to emphasize the clarity and lack of ambiguity in a statement. Ludwig's analysis and examples confirm its versatility across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and professional communications. While the phrase is generally neutral, it should be used judiciously in subjective contexts. Alternatives like "completely obvious" or "perfectly obvious" can provide subtle variations in emphasis. Ludwig's AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability, making it a valuable tool for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely obvious

Replaces "clear" with "obvious", emphasizing the lack of doubt.

perfectly obvious

Replaces "utterly clear" with "perfectly obvious" maintaining the same meaning and emphasis.

absolutely obvious

Replaces "utterly clear" with "absolutely obvious" maintaining the same meaning and emphasis.

unquestionably clear

Adds an element of certainty, suggesting no room for doubt.

indisputably clear

Similar to "unquestionably clear", suggesting the clarity cannot be argued.

patently obvious

A more formal way of saying obviously clear.

crystal clear

A common idiom emphasizing transparency and ease of understanding.

plain as day

An idiom emphasizing that something is very easy to see or understand.

easily understood

Focuses on the ease with which something can be comprehended.

readily apparent

Highlights the immediate visibility or understandability of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "utterly clear" to emphasize that something is completely understandable or obvious. For example, "The instructions were utterly clear, leaving no room for confusion."

What phrases are similar to "utterly clear"?

Alternatives to "utterly clear" include "completely obvious", "perfectly obvious", and "crystal clear".

Is "utterly clear" formal or informal?

"Utterly clear" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's a versatile phrase that can be used in various types of writing and speech.

Can I use "utterly clear" to describe feelings?

While "utterly clear" is typically used to describe facts or instructions, it's less common to use it for feelings. Instead, consider phrases like "perfectly understandable" or "completely obvious" depending on the context.