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Glite Dictionary
to clearly state

to clearly state

34 2.7
Say or write something so people have no doubt
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : dejar claro
  • It's been on my mind for probably the last month or two, but it became apparent to me that we needed to clearly state our position.
  • clearly state objectives
  • clearly state goals
  • clearly state expectations

In fact, I have a piece in here where I clearly state, bear in mind, I am not a historian, right?

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Examples

  • The teacher will clearly state the instructions so everyone understands what to do.

  • It clearly states that breakfast is served between 8:30 and 10:30.

    Paddington in Peru (2024)

  • In fact, I have a piece in here where I clearly state, bear in mind, I am not a historian, right?

    Harvard University

  • The rules should clearly state expectations for student behavior in a positive manner.

    Academic text (2001)

  • The first suggestion is to establish clearly stated goals and objectives for the festival.

    Academic text (1992)

  • Reviewers have found the program's learning goals to be challenging, appropriate, and clearly stated.

    Academic text (2002)

  • The authors clearly state the educational and civic agendas of their projects.

    Academic text (2017)

  • You know that the by-laws of our club clearly state that the president and not the secretary-treasurer should be the first Welcomer on the scene.

    Just Getting Started (2017)

  • In the meeting, she clearly states her expectations for the project moving forward.

  • The contract clearly states the terms of the agreement for both parties.

Synonyms

to state
vsto clearly state
∞ 1.6

To say or write something clearly and officially

emphasizes leaving no doubt and easy understanding rather than just formality
to make oneself clear
vsto clearly state
545 3.4

Say something so other people understand what you mean

is aimed at removing all doubt rather than only basic understanding
to define
vsto clearly state
252 1.0

To make the shape or edges of something clear

aims more at overall understandable expression that leaves no ambiguity
to clarify
vsto clearly state
248 3.3

To make something clear so others can understand it

goes further by insisting the expression leaves no ambiguity
to lay out
vsto clearly state
207 3.2

To explain something clearly and in detail

adds the stronger goal of making the meaning undeniable and simple
to specify
vsto clearly state
118 3.5

To give clear, exact details about something

is broader in removing ambiguity, not only listing exact details
to spell out
vsto clearly state
79 3.5

To explain something clearly and in detail

stresses both clear explanation and the need to remove all uncertainty
to set forth
vsto clearly state
  • Formal
29 4.2

To state something clearly in writing or speech

focuses more on removing doubt and ensuring plain understanding rather than formality
to elucidate
vsto clearly state
  • Formal
11 6.8

To explain something so it is easy to understand

adds the aim of leaving no room for doubt when expressing something
to enunciate
vsto clearly state
8 5.8

To state an idea clearly so people understand

adds the goal of eliminating doubt as well as clear delivery
to delineate
vsto clearly state
  • Formal
5 6.8

To describe something clearly and in detail

focuses on full understandable expression that removes doubt rather than only outlining limits
to disambiguate
vsto clearly state
1 7.7

To make something clear by removing confusion

focuses on full expression that also leaves no uncertainty rather than only removing ambiguity

Antonyms

vaguely
115 3.9

Not clearly or with few details

obscurely
2 7.7

In a way that is not clear and hard to understand

How Clear

to spell out
79 3.5
to clearly state
34 2.7
to clarify
248 3.3
to state
∞ 1.6
to say
∞ 3.0
to suggest
∞ 2.1
to hint
136 2.0

Surface Forms

clearly state infinitive
clearly stated past
clearly stated past participle
clearly stating present participle
clearly states third person singular

Morphology

clearly + state

The meaning is directly compositional: the adverb 'clearly' simply modifies the verb 'state' to indicate saying something in an unambiguous way. This adverb+verb pattern is a common, transparent construction across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Clearly state comes from the simple image of making words easy to see: to clear is to remove what hides something and to state is to say it. So, clearly state means 'to say something in a way that is easy to understand' and leave 'no doubt'.