Clarify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Clarify" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to make something clearer or to explain further. Example: "Could you please clarify your point about the project timeline?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are very happy to clarify the position, and on trade, people trade with us because we are a good trading partner.

The Guardian

I should also clarify that this has nothing to do with hating men, as some have suggested.

The Guardian - Music

Stella Creasy, the local MP, has asked the council to clarify how residents can give their feedback on the trial.

The Guardian

However, she adds that Ofsted now needs to clarify what it does expect schools to do to meet its inspection criteria.

The Guardian

Guidelines released today by the government body hope to clarify what exactly is expected from teachers to ease the pain of scrutiny.

The Guardian

This article was amended on 10 May 2010, to clarify that it was the live elements of Channel 4's Alternative Election Night which were made by Endemol UK subsidiary Zeppotron.

The Guardian

The adjudicator partially upheld her case, recommending that Oxford clarify and amend its policies.

The Guardian

This article was amended 17 February 2015 to clarify the number of countries in the Eurozone.

The Guardian - Opinion

A few days after the referendum, Downing Street was forced to clarify the prime minister's remarks to say that he was not demanding a link between the process of further Scottish devolution and English votes for English laws.

The Guardian

"Germanwings would like to clarify that no medical note was presented to the firm for this day," it said in a statement.

The Guardian

The government on Thursday delivered a statement to clarify its stand on the controversial question of the legality of settlements after the issued flared up at a Senate hearing the night before.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clarify" when you need to make a statement or idea more understandable by providing additional information or context. It's particularly useful in formal writing and professional communication.

Common error

Avoid using "clarify" in very casual conversations where simpler words like "explain" or "make clear" would be more appropriate. Overusing formal language can sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "clarify" is a verb, used transitively or intransitively. It signifies the action of making something clearer or more easily understood. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clarify" is a versatile verb that is used to make something more understandable by removing ambiguity or providing further explanation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English. It's most commonly found in News & Media, Formal & Business contexts. While highly useful, avoid overuse in casual conversation where simpler terms might be more appropriate. Remember to use "clarify" when you aim to make something precise and easily understood, ensuring your communication is effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Make clear

Focuses on the act of removing ambiguity.

Elucidate

Suggests a more formal and detailed explanation.

Explain

A general term for making something understandable.

Spell out

Implies explaining something in a very detailed and explicit manner.

Shed light on

Emphasizes revealing information to make something clearer.

Illuminate

Similar to 'shed light on', but can also imply a deeper understanding.

Define

Focuses on providing a precise meaning or explanation.

Interpret

Suggests explaining the meaning of something that is not immediately obvious.

Unpack

Implies a detailed examination to reveal the complexities of something.

Demystify

Focuses on removing the mysterious or confusing aspects of something.

FAQs

How to use "clarify" in a sentence?

You can use "clarify" to indicate that you are making something easier to understand, such as, "Let me clarify my previous statement" or "Could you clarify what you meant by that?".

What can I say instead of "clarify"?

You can use alternatives like "explain", "elucidate", or "make clear" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "clarify" or "make clarification"?

"Clarify" is a verb that means to make something clear, while "clarification" is a noun that refers to the act of clarifying or the result of it. It's generally more concise and direct to use "clarify" as a verb. "Make clarification" is grammatically acceptable, but less common.

What's the difference between "clarify" and "explain"?

"Clarify" often implies removing confusion or ambiguity from something already stated, while "explain" is a broader term for making something understandable. You might explain a new concept, but clarify a misunderstanding.