Shed some light on this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Shed some light on this" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when asking someone to clarify or provide more information about a topic or issue. Example: "Can you shed some light on this matter? I'm having trouble understanding the details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A new study [1] helps shed some light on this claim.

Huffington Post

"Can you shed some light on this?

The Guardian - Sport

I hope someone can help shed some light on this.

Yale University

Perhaps someone can shed some light on this?

Columbia University

"She could help us shed some light on this".

The New York Times

Two new scientific papers shed some light on this issue.

The New York Times

"We are hoping we can shed some light on this," she said.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

He sat down with David Weinberger to shed some light on this fascinating topic.

Harvard University

A second study Berrios and his colleagues conducted shed some light on this question.

University of California, Berkeley

Carnegie Mellon neuroscientist David Creswell can shed some light on this topic.

Harvard Business Review

To shed some light on this question, I leveraged a quirk in 19th century election calendars.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shed some light on this" when you want to politely request clarification or further explanation on a topic that may be confusing or not fully understood. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "shed some light on this" when simply asking for basic information that isn't necessarily obscure or complex. Direct questions are more appropriate for straightforward inquiries.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shed some light on this" functions as an idiomatic expression used to politely request clarification, explanation, or insight into a specific topic or issue. It's a common way to ask someone to provide more understanding.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shed some light on this" is a versatile idiomatic expression used to politely request clarification or further explanation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse fields such as news, academia, and science. While alternatives like "clarify this matter" or "elucidate this issue" exist, the phrase maintains a unique balance of formality and approachability, making it a valuable addition to one's communication toolkit. Remember to use it when seeking genuine understanding, rather than for straightforward information requests.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Clarify this matter

Focuses on making something clearer and easier to understand, omitting the idiomatic element.

Elucidate this issue

Suggests a more formal and detailed explanation, differing in register.

Explain this in detail

Directly asks for a thorough explanation, lacking the subtlety of the original.

Provide more information about this

Asks for additional details, without necessarily implying clarification of something confusing.

Give us insight into this

Focuses on providing a deeper understanding, rather than just clarification.

Offer an explanation of this

Requests a reasoned account, sounding slightly more formal.

Help us understand this

Focuses on facilitating comprehension, with a slightly different emphasis.

Break this down for me

Implies simplifying complex information, which is less formal.

Walk me through this

Suggests a step-by-step explanation, often used for processes or procedures.

Can you elaborate on this

Requests further development of a point or idea, adding detail.

FAQs

How can I use "shed some light on this" in a sentence?

You can use "shed some light on this" when you need someone to clarify or provide more information about a particular topic. For example, "Can you shed some light on this issue? I'm having trouble understanding the details."

What's a more formal way to say "shed some light on this"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "elucidate this issue" or "clarify this matter". These options maintain a professional and respectful tone.

Is "shed some light on this" appropriate for all situations?

While "shed some light on this" is generally versatile, it's best suited for scenarios where the topic is somewhat complex or unclear. In very casual settings, simpler phrases like "explain this" might be preferable.

What can I say instead of "shed some light on this" in casual conversation?

In a more casual setting, you can say "explain this", "tell me more about this", or "break this down for me". These are more direct and informal ways to ask for clarification.