Apparent vs It was clearer than a memory

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Apparent

Top 1,000 (very common)B2adjective

It was clearer than a memory

Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Apparent
 ApparentIt was clearer than a memory
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/əˈpærənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈpærənt/"]/🇬🇧 //ɪt wəz ˈklɪərər ðən ə ˈmɛməri//🇺🇸 //ɪt wəz ˈklɪrər ðən ə ˈmɛməri//
MeaningEasy to see or understandIt was easier to understand than a memory.
ExampleIt was apparent that she had been working hard on the project.That explanation was clearer than a memory of my childhood.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 1,000 (very common)Beyond 10,000 (less common)
CEFR levelB2-
Part of speechadjective
Collocationsbe, seem, become, glaringly, particularly, strongly, toclearer than ever, clearer than day, as clear as a bell
Antonymshidden, obscure, unclear-
Common mistakesConfused 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.Misunderstanding 'clearer' as only visual clarity., Using in overly formal contexts., Confusing with similar phrases like 'clear as day'.
Usage notesUse 'apparent' to describe something obvious or clear. It is best used in written form or formal conversations, but not commonly used in casual speech.Used in informal discussions to express that something is very obvious, clearer than a vague recollection. Avoid in very formal writing.

See it in real clips

Apparent
It was clearer than a memory

Frequently asked questions: Apparent vs It was clearer than a memory

What's the difference between Apparent and It was clearer than a memory?

Apparent: Easy to see or understand It was clearer than a memory: It was easier to understand than a memory.

Which is more common: Apparent and It was clearer than a memory?

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. It was clearer than a memory: That explanation was clearer than a memory of my childhood.

Can I use Apparent and It was clearer than a memory interchangeably?

Not always. Apparent and It was clearer than a memory 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.

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