What is clearly? Pronunciation and usage in English

clearly means . Learn how to pronounce and use clearly through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of clearly

clearlyadverb

/ˈklɪəli/
Definition & pronunciation of clearly

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "clearly" in English. It’s a common stumbling block for learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Basic Sound:

  • "Clear" – Think of the word "clear" (like a window). It's pronounced "kleer." The emphasis is on the first syllable. The vowel sound is like the "e" in "bed" or "met."

  • "ly" – This is the trickiest part. The "ly" at the end changes the sound. It’s pronounced "lee."

2. Putting it Together:

So, "clearly" is pronounced "kleer-lee".

3. A More Detailed Breakdown (with mouth movements – helpful for visual learners):

  • "kleer":
    • Start with your tongue relatively low in your mouth.
    • Round your lips slightly (a little like you're saying "oo" as in "moon").
    • Make a short, clear "uh" sound (like the "a” in “about”). It’s almost like a short, quick "eh" – but not quite as open.
  • "lee":
    • Keep your lips slightly rounded.
    • Make a short “ee” sound (like “see”).

4. Tips & Common Mistakes:

  • Don’t add an extra “r” sound after the “clear”. Many people accidentally add an “r” sound, making it sound like “kleer-ruh.” This is incorrect.
  • The “ly” is short and distinct. Don't slur it into the “kleer.”
  • Listen to native speakers. The best way to learn is to hear it. Search on YouTube for "how to pronounce clearly" and listen to multiple examples.

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Are you having trouble with a specific part of the word (like the "ly" sound)?
  • Do you want more visual guidance (e.g., a description of mouth movements)?

Usage and examples with the word clearly in English

Let's break down how to use the word "clearly" effectively in English. It's a versatile word that adds emphasis to your meaning. Here's a breakdown of its uses, with examples:

1. As an Adverb – Meaning “Obviously” or “Evidently”

This is the most common usage. “Clearly” indicates that something is obvious or easy to understand.

  • Example: "Clearly, you're feeling frustrated." (You're implying they look like they're frustrated, and it's obvious.)
  • Example: "Clearly, the evidence points to his guilt." (The evidence makes it undeniably clear.)
  • Example: "Clearly, we need to discuss this further." (It's apparent that more conversation is needed.)
  • Example: "The sky is clearly blue today." (A simple, obvious observation.)

2. As an Adjective – Meaning “Easily Seen or Understood”

Less common, but important to recognize. When used as an adjective, “clearly” describes something that is visible or understandable. It’s often used to modify a noun.

  • Example: "He gave a clearly written report." (The report was written in a way that's easy to read and understand.)
  • Example: "She had a clearly defined plan." (Her plan was well-structured and understandable.)
  • Example: "The photograph is clearly visible." (You can easily see the photo.)

3. In Phrases – Common Combinations

  • “Clearly stated”: Meaning stated explicitly and without ambiguity. “The instructions were clearly stated.”
  • “Clearly defined”: Meaning precisely specified and understood. “The problem needs to be clearly defined before we can solve it.”
  • “Clearly understood”: Meaning easily grasped and comprehended. “I hope you clearly understood my explanation.”
  • “It is clearly…”: This structure emphasizes a point. “It is clearly time to move on.”

Tips for Using "Clearly" Effectively:

  • Don’t overuse it: While it adds emphasis, too much use of "clearly" can sound repetitive or patronizing. Sometimes, the obviousness speaks for itself.
  • Pair it with context: Use it when there's a reason why something is clear. If something is just generic, "clearly" might not be the best choice.
  • Consider alternatives: Depending on the nuance you want, you could use words like: obviously, evidently, undoubtedly, plainly, without a doubt, it’s apparent, it’s obvious.

Here's a quick table to summarize:

Usage Meaning Example
Adverb Obviously, evidently "Clearly, he was upset by the news."
Adjective Easily seen/understood "He wrote a clearly articulated argument."

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of writing are you doing? (e.g., academic essays, emails, creative writing, casual conversation?)
  • Can you give me a sentence where you're considering using "clearly"? (I can then suggest a better way to phrase it if needed.)

Synonyms for the word clearly

Practice with vocabulary clearly

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The instructions were not __________ written, so many students struggled to understand them.
  2. She explained the concept __________, making it easy for everyone to follow.
  3. The results of the experiment were __________ visible under the microscope.
  4. He spoke __________ about his concerns, but his tone was too vague to be effective.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which word best fits in the sentence: "The teacher __________ explained the lesson, so all the students understood it."
    a) clearly
    b) vaguely
    c) precisely
    d) softly

  2. Select the word(s) that could complete the sentence: "The graph __________ shows the increase in sales over the year."
    a) clearly
    b) effectively
    c) broadly
    d) ambiguously

  3. Which word is not suitable in this sentence: "The manager __________ outlined the project goals, leaving no room for confusion."
    a) clearly
    b) concisely
    c) obscurely
    d) precisely

  4. Choose the correct word: "She __________ expressed her opinion during the meeting, but her points were still unclear."
    a) confidently
    b) clearly
    c) hesitantly
    d) firmly

  5. Which word best fits in the sentence: "The instructions were __________ written, so no one could follow them."
    a) clearly
    b) poorly
    c) vaguely
    d) logically

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: He spoke in a way that everyone could understand.
    Rewrite: He spoke __________.

  2. Original: The report was concise and easy to follow.
    Rewrite: The report was __________ written.

  3. Original: The message was communicated in a manner that left no doubt.
    Rewrite: The message was communicated __________.

Answer

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. clearly
  2. clearly
  3. clearly
  4. vaguely

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. a) clearly, c) precisely
  2. a) clearly, b) effectively
  3. c) obscurely
  4. a) confidently
  5. b) poorly, c) vaguely

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. He spoke clearly.
  2. The report was clearly written.
  3. The message was communicated unmistakably.

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