I seem to recall that the philosophy invented by ICAO was that the word[s] 'clear' and 'cleared' were only to be used when issuing a clearance to take-off or land. 'Clearing' in all other circumstances eg. to manoeuvre on the ground; cross runways; climb; descend etc etc all became forbidden.
The old system/phraseology did seem to work very well, but then I was only an ATCO for thirty odd years, so what do I know!!!!?