Why the clear attribute cannot be applied to inline elements

use the clear attribute on a block-level element so that the left or right or both sides of the block-level element are not adjacent to the floating element;
CSS1 and 2 implement the function by increasing the margin-top, while CSS2.1 adds a clear area above the outer margin of the element to achieve the function.
I have this question:
Why can"t this clear be applied to in-line elements?
neither an inline replacement element nor an inline non-subject yellow element works. I can understand if it is because the margin of the non-replacement element in the line is invalid, but why does the clear of the replacement element not take effect?

Mar.01,2021

Because the spec says so .

Note. This property applied to all elements in CSS1. Implementations may therefore have supported this property on all elements. In CSS2 and CSS 2.2 the 'clear' property only applies to block-level elements.
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