clear

There are many different ways to use the word "clear."

1. If something is clear, you can see through it.

• Glass is clear.
• Air can be clear.
• Water is clear if it’s clean.

2. The word "clear" is used when something is easy to hear or understand.

• Is what I’m saying clear to you? (Do you understand?)
• Does my voice sound clear? (Is it easy to hear?)
• Students should receive clear instructions from their teacher.
• Preventing freedeom of speech is a clear violation of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
• Sound that comes from a radio is not clear if there’s a lot of static.

3. You can use the word "clear" when something has been cleaned or wiped free of a material. In this case, "clear" can be a verb or an adjective.

• A snowplow clears the roads when there’s a snowstorm. (verb)
• The roads are clear. (adjective)
• Students clear their desks of books and notebooks when taking a test. (verb)
• Their desks are clear. (adjective)
• You can clear your conscience by admitting a mistake or admitting guilt. (verb)
• Your conscience can be clear. (adjective)
• If you are in the clear, you are innocent or free of suspicion of wrong doing.

The word "clearly" is an adverb:

• The man at the meeting said something that was clearly not factual.
• He clearly made a mistake.
• Clearly, there are many, many people who disagree with what he thinks.
• It’s clearly impossible to know what the man will do or say next.
• He’s clearly an idiot.

Clear, blue water looks very inviting to a swimmer.

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Date of publication: February 3, 2017