Elucidate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Elucidate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want someone to clarify or explain something in more detail. Example: "Could you please elucidate your point about the project's timeline?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Raymond Carver (1976) Possibly the most economical short story writer in this list, Carver, with his precise, punchy prose, conveys in a few words what many novelists take several pages to elucidate.

The Guardian

Politicians are more concerned to orchestrate than elucidate in any debate, but it doesn't follow that they are always wrong.

The Guardian - Opinion

"My point here," Zuckerman writes, "isn't to elucidate all the peculiarities of my social network (indeed, analysing these diagrams is a bit like analysing your dreams – fascinating to you, but off-putting to everyone else).

The Guardian - Tech

This time, once the game was over, they asked the participants a series of questions designed to elucidate their attitudes to the selfless "player".Most of the responses fell into two categories: "If you give a lot, you should use a lot," and "He makes us all look bad".

The Economist

Shakespeare wrote in "Henry IV Part II": "Is it not strange that desire should so many years outlive performance?" When it can elucidate our understanding of an unknown world, certainly not.

The Economist

Rather, it is for a kind of Indian literature and literary sensibility, which he reveres, and now is scarce.Written over a 15-year period, in which he has excelled as a novelist and academic, Mr Chaudhuri's essays elucidate an Indian modernist tradition, which he finds rooted in 19th-century Bengali humanism and is characterised by "ellipsis and disjunction".

The Economist

And he declined to elucidate his position on Turkish membership of the EU.The prime minister's reticence on foreign affairs does have advantages.

The Economist

For example, he explained that stories about Muhammad's childhood are not meant to relate to historical events, but rather "to elucidate the mystery of the prophetic experience".

The Economist

The fiscal debate needs to change to incorporate these facts and elucidate the underlying reasons for policy changes.

The Economist

Since they are better than anything else at bringing free radicals to a dead halt, fullerenes can elucidate precisely the roles the radicals play and why, like radicals everywhere, they make so much go wrong.

The Economist

The tour highlights the changes made to Berlin since Mr Bowie walked its streets almost 40 years ago and, like the exhibition itself, helps elucidate the city's effect on Bowie's life and music.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "elucidate" when you want to convey a sense of formal and thorough clarification. It is particularly effective in academic or professional contexts where precision is valued.

Common error

Avoid using "elucidate" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler words like "explain" or "clarify" are more appropriate and sound less pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "elucidate" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being clarified or made clear. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is often used when someone wants to clarify or explain something in more detail. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, showing how it functions to bring clarity to a subject.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "elucidate" is a formal verb that means to make something clear or explain it in detail. According to Ludwig AI, the word is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is commonly found in academic, scientific, and news media contexts, suggesting a formal register. While "elucidate" is a powerful tool for clarifying complex topics, it should be used judiciously, avoiding overuse in informal settings where simpler synonyms like "explain" or "clarify" may be more appropriate. Ludwig's examples showcase its versatility in various domains, reinforcing its role in promoting understanding through thorough explanation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Clarify

A more direct and simpler synonym for making something clear.

Make clear

A straightforward way of saying to clarify something.

Explain in detail

Focuses on providing a comprehensive explanation.

Clarify the meaning of

Specifically targets the meaning of something that is unclear.

Shed light on

Emphasizes revealing or making something more visible or understandable.

Throw light upon

A more figurative way of saying to make something understandable.

Illuminate

Suggests a deeper, more profound understanding or revelation.

Provide clarification

Highlights the act of giving clarity.

Give an explanation

Focuses on providing an account or reason for something.

Spell out

Implies explaining something very explicitly and directly.

FAQs

How can I use "elucidate" in a sentence?

You can use "elucidate" to mean to make something clear or explain it thoroughly. For example, "The professor used diagrams to elucidate the complex theory" or "Could you elucidate your point about the budget cuts?"

What are some synonyms for "elucidate"?

Some synonyms for "elucidate" include "clarify", "explain in detail", "shed light on", and "illuminate".

Is "elucidate" a formal word?

Yes, "elucidate" is considered a formal word. It's best used in academic, professional, or other contexts where precise and thorough explanation is required. In more casual settings, simpler alternatives like "explain" or "clarify" may be more suitable.

What is the difference between "elucidate" and "explain"?

"Explain" is a general term for making something understandable. "Elucidate" implies a more thorough and detailed explanation, often to clarify something that is complex or obscure. Thus, "elucidate" suggests a higher degree of clarification than "explain".