What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
apparent
Example
The smile on her face made it apparent that she was happy. [apparent: adjective]
Example
There was an apparent mistake in the report that needed to be corrected. [apparent: adjective]
clear
Example
The instructions were clear and easy to follow. [clear: adjective]
Example
The water in the lake was so clear that you could see the fish swimming. [clear: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Clear is more commonly used than apparent in everyday language. Clear is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while apparent is less common and slightly more formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between apparent and clear?
While clear is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, apparent is slightly more formal in nature.