|
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
Quote:
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?
Callithump
I don't think there's a scintilla of difference between "It's clear to me." and "I'm clear on that."
"Are we clear" is more like "do we understand each other."
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
Quote:
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)".
What tsuwm said is good advice. But to expand a little, normally one wouldn't claim to be clear in the "you should have understood" sense. You might ask someone if you are clear in this sense but it is a little presumptuous to claim to have been clear implying that the listener is some sort of idiot for not understanding. One might also say something like "I hope I'm clear on this." It's not so presumptive and it gets the point across.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,773
Pooh-Bah
|
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,773 |
I’m learning English. If you find anywhere I can improve my writing, Please do let me know.
Calli, you're doing just fine. Minor point: "ambiguous in meaning " is redundant
dalehileman
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,773
Pooh-Bah
|
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,773 |
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
***Right on, Calli. If you go back over the followups you will see that it can also mean "It's clear to me" and so you should indeed avoid using it
If you find anywhere I can improve my writing, Please do let me know.
***You are doing just fine, perhaps better than I. Minor point: "ambiguous in meaning" is redundant
dalehileman
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 456
addict
|
addict
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 456 |
Quote:
I don't think there's a scintilla of difference between "It's clear to me." and "I'm clear on that."
At least two scintillae, Shirley. "It's clear to me" is unambiguous while "I'm clear on that" leans heavily on the context. It could convey understanding or refer to a criminal charge or be part of an animated transparent tape testimonial.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 91
journeyman
|
OP
journeyman
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 91 |
I think it's not very clear to me again after reading on. Does "I'm clear on that" mean "I understand that(something you just said) very clear" or "I have said that very clear (so you might have known what I mean)"? The former or the latter? Thanks, Callithump
Do inform me if you see any corrections needed in my written English.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
The former, Sweetie.
It would be very rare for someone to say "I have made myself clear". Imagine that you are, for example, a teacher or a boss somewhere: no matter how clear YOU think your lesson or instructions have been, it is very likely that at least one person in the group did not understand completely. Therefore, we usually ask, "Have I made myself clear?", rather than announce the "fact" that we have.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,773
Pooh-Bah
|
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,773 |
calli} Very minor point, but one understands clearly, not clear
English is a tough language and you're still doing ok, don't give up
dalehileman
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,819
Pooh-Bah
|
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,819 |
The phrase "are we clear on that" is one that would typically be used in the context of a power difference. To use a military setting, a general might say to a major, "Listen, we are not going to invade Crete. The discussion is over and I don't want to hear another word about it. Are we clear on that?" Here the general is expressing some irritation and he's "pulling rank" on his inferior. A major would never use the same expression to his superior the general, unless he wanted to risk being written up for insubordination.
On the other hand, to use the expression "it's clear to me" doesn't necessarily carry the same connotation. It would be perfectly polite for the major to say to the general, "Sir, based on my review of the intelligence, it is clear to me that to invade Sparta would be ill-advised." Here the major is using the phrase to mean that, after review of other material, he has arrived at a conclusion that he feels is sound.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 91
journeyman
|
OP
journeyman
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 91 |
Do inform me if you see any corrections needed in my written English.
|
|
|
Forums16
Topics13,913
Posts229,577
Members9,187
|
Most Online3,341 Dec 9th, 2011
|
|
0 members (),
148
guests, and
2
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
|