|
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 91
journeyman
|
OP
journeyman
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 91 |
One native English teacher told us once that the former saying is not right. But I occasionally find some persons use the later usage in writing or in conversation. It seems both are acceptable at this time. Is that so?
Thanks,
Callithump
Do inform me if you see any corrections needed in my written English. 
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
"It's clear to me" is perfectly good colloquial US English and probably other dialects as well. "I'm clear about that" is not so standard but would be understandable in most if not all contexts.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
as in, have I made myself perfectly clear..
dialog from "A Few Good Men":
Jessep: We follow orders, son. We follow orders or people die. It's that simple. Are we clear?
Kaffee: Yes sir.
Jessep: Are we clear?
Kaffee: Crystal.
dialog from "My Cousin Vinny":
I don't want to hear explanations. The state of Alabama has a procedure. And that procedure is to have an arraignment. Are we clear on this?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
Aha! It was the "about" that threw me off. Tsuwm is clear on that.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 557
addict
|
|
addict
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 557 |
Also common:
I'm clear on that
a shortened form of
I'm clear on that point (or topic or area or ...)
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,773
Pooh-Bah
|
|
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,773 |
The foregoing followups are right on. Summing up, "I'm clear about that" is ambiguous because it can also mean that I'm defending a statement that you have found confusing, while I don't understand your puzzlement
dalehileman
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 456
addict
|
|
addict
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 456 |
Yes, the two phrases smack of being opposite in that the 'clear' term appears to apply to the speaker in one case and the listener in the other. Alles klar? 
Last edited by Aramis11; 01/05/07 07:20 PM.
ÅΓª╥┐↕§
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290 |
Alles klar?
Ja, ganz klar ... auf der Andrea Doria.
Ceci n'est pas un seing.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,773
Pooh-Bah
|
|
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,773 |
dalehileman
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 91
journeyman
|
|
OP
journeyman
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 91 |
So, "It's clear to me" means "I have understood what it means" while "I'm clear on that" means "I have made my points clear (so you should have understood)". And "I'm clear about that" is ambiguous in meaning for it can mean both "I have made clear what you mean" and "I have made clear what I mean". So I would be recommended to avoid using it. Am I clear on that? And has it been clear to me? Thansk, Callithump
Do inform me if you see any corrections needed in my written English.
|
|
|
|
Forums16
Topics13,913
Posts229,651
Members9,187
| |
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
|
|
|
1 members (A C Bowden),
183
guests, and
3
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
|
