Cool MateApparent vs Clear as red flame
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Apparent
Top 1,000 (very common)B2adjective
Clear as red flame
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Apparent
| Apparent | Clear as red flame | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈpærənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈpærənt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //klɪə əz rɛd fleɪm//🇺🇸 //klɪr æz rɛd fleɪm// |
| Meaning | Easy to see or understand | very easy to understand |
| Example | It was apparent that she had been working hard on the project. | The instructions were clear as red flame to everyone. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, seem, become, glaringly, particularly, strongly, to | as clear as can be, clear as day, clear as a bell |
| Antonyms | hidden, obscure, unclear | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'evident' - they have similar meanings but 'evident' can imply stronger proof., Using it inappropriately in emotional contexts where 'clear' would be better., Incorrectly using 'apparent' as a noun. | Confused with 'clear as mud', which means the opposite., Omitting the word 'as' when using the phrase. |
| Usage notes | Use 'apparent' to describe something obvious or clear. It is best used in written form or formal conversations, but not commonly used in casual speech. | Use when something is very obvious or easy to see. Avoid in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Apparent vs Clear as red flame
What's the difference between Apparent and Clear as red flame?
Apparent: Easy to see or understand Clear as red flame: very easy to understand
Which is more common: Apparent and Clear as red flame?
Apparent is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Apparent: It was apparent that she had been working hard on the project. Clear as red flame: The instructions were clear as red flame to everyone.
Can I use Apparent and Clear as red flame interchangeably?
Not always. Apparent and Clear as red flame are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.