I try to clarify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I try to clarify" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express your effort to make something clear or understandable in a conversation or written communication. Example: "During the meeting, I try to clarify any misunderstandings that may arise."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

I try to clarify that "descent with modification" is not synonymous with "dolphins becoming dogs, or that we were once apes" as one of the survey respondents explained.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

In a letter of 13 November 1639, Descartes wrote to Mersenne that he was "working on a discourse in which I try to clarify what I have hitherto written" on metaphysics (2 622).

SEP

I try to clarify for people if I can, in the most gentle way possible.

Vice

Whenever he says, "Thank you, ma'am," I say, "You're welcome, ma'am". Because when I do that, he's like, "What?" And I'm like, "Yeah, that's how I feel when you do that to me". I try to clarify for people if I can, in the most gentle way possible.

Vice

If they have some misconceptions, then I try to clarify.

BMC Health Services Research

In the revised version, I try to clarify this in several places.

Biology Direct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"And you've done this so we can break the law … legally?" I tried to clarify.

The Guardian

I tried to clarify that I was, of course, Mike's dad, but the chat was by that point completely beyond salvage.

The New Yorker

But at the time I was sort of disturbed that people could so misinterpret my intentions, and I guess that's why I tried to clarify them in the next series".

The New Yorker

I tried to clarify with D'Souza what exactly he was claiming about selective prosecution.

Vice

The prevailing sense of confusion over the details of Stoli's provenance and the wisdom and effectiveness of the boycott have lingered on, so when I ran into Gallineaux -- quite by chance -- unwinding at the Island House in Key West after a challenging four months, I tried to clarify some of the issues that were troubling me.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I try to clarify" when you want to express a conscious effort to make something understandable. Be mindful of your audience and adjust your language accordingly for clarity.

Common error

Avoid stating "I try to clarify" without actually providing the clarification. Always follow up with specific details or examples to ensure your audience understands your intent and the information you are conveying.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I try to clarify" functions as a declarative statement expressing the speaker's intention. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and commonly used. It sets the stage for providing further explanation or simplification.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I try to clarify" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for expressing an intention to make something more understandable. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It's versatile across various contexts, including news, science, and academia, though mostly with a neutral register. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "I endeavor to clarify". When using this phrase, remember to follow through with a clear and concise explanation to avoid any confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I am trying to clarify

Uses the present continuous tense to emphasize the ongoing nature of the attempt.

I want to clarify

A more direct and simple way of expressing the desire to clarify.

I seek to clarify

Substitutes "try" with "seek", implying a more deliberate and focused effort.

I aim to make clear

Uses "aim" instead of "try" and "make clear" instead of "clarify", offering a slightly more direct tone.

My intention is to clarify

States the intention behind the action, making it more explicit.

I endeavor to clarify

Replaces "try" with "endeavor", resulting in a more formal and committed tone.

I make an effort to clarify

Emphasizes the effort involved in clarifying something.

I attempt to elucidate

Replaces "try" with "attempt" and "clarify" with "elucidate", increasing formality.

I hope to clarify

Indicates a wish or expectation to clarify, rather than a definite attempt.

I will clarify

Expresses a future action with certainty.

FAQs

How can I use "I try to clarify" in a sentence?

Use "I try to clarify" to indicate your intention to make something clearer. For example, "I try to clarify my position on the matter during the debate."

What's a more formal alternative to "I try to clarify"?

A more formal alternative to "I try to clarify" could be "I endeavor to clarify", which sounds more professional.

What's the difference between "I try to clarify" and "I am trying to clarify"?

"I try to clarify" expresses a general intention or habit, whereas "I am trying to clarify" suggests an action in progress.

When is it appropriate to use "I try to clarify" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "I try to clarify" in writing when you want to signal to your reader that you are about to provide further explanation or simplify a complex topic. Make sure that you actually clarify your statement afterward.