Clear as red flame vs Evident

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

Clear as red flame

Beyond 10,000 (less common)

Evident

Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
Most common: Evident
 Clear as red flameEvident
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //klɪə əz rɛd fleɪm//🇺🇸 //klɪr æz rɛd fleɪm//🇬🇧 /["/ˈevɪdənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈevɪdənt/"]/
Meaningvery easy to understandEasy to see or understand.
ExampleThe instructions were clear as red flame to everyone.It was evident that she had worked hard to achieve the results.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonBeyond 10,000 (less common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR level-B2
Part of speechadjective
Collocationsas clear as can be, clear as day, clear as a bellappear, be, seem, extremely, fairly, very, from, in, to
Antonyms-hidden, obscure, unclear
Common mistakesConfused with 'clear as mud', which means the opposite., Omitting the word 'as' when using the phrase.Confused with 'evidence' — remember, 'evident' describes clarity, while 'evidence' refers to proof., Using it in inappropriate contexts, such as slang or informal settings., Confusing with synonyms like 'apparent,' which may have slightly different meanings.
Usage notesUse when something is very obvious or easy to see. Avoid in formal writing.Use 'evident' to describe something that is obvious. It is more formal than 'clear' and often used in writing or speeches. Not commonly used in casual conversations.

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Clear as red flame

Frequently asked questions: Clear as red flame vs Evident

What's the difference between Clear as red flame and Evident?

Clear as red flame: very easy to understand Evident: Easy to see or understand.

Which is more common: Clear as red flame and Evident?

Evident is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Clear as red flame: The instructions were clear as red flame to everyone. Evident: It was evident that she had worked hard to achieve the results.

Can I use Clear as red flame and Evident interchangeably?

Not always. Clear as red flame and Evident 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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