can be cleared up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be cleared up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to resolving confusion or misunderstanding about a particular issue or topic. Example: "There seems to be some confusion regarding the project timeline, but I assure you that it can be cleared up with a quick discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Any other misunderstanding can be cleared up by a few more exchanges.

The New Yorker

A good bit of misunderstanding between our militaries can be cleared up by reaching out to each other.

The New York Times

"We remain optimistic this can be cleared up quickly through the S.E.C.'s review process," Mr. Hastings wrote on Facebook, a post that was filed with regulators.

The New York Times

"I don't see how it can be cleared up in a short period of time," said Richard X . Bove an analyst with Rochdale Securities.

The New York Times

If there is a danger of ambiguity, it can be cleared up in a colloquy on the Senate floor by Senators McCain and Feingold.

The New York Times

Churchill and Thatcher had their rages, so perhaps the mess from Brown's can be cleared up and forgotten by polling day.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Boasting about "freshers' flu", however, is standard for everyone and can usally be cleared up with a vodka berocca followed by a very long snooze and a snivelly phonecall to your mum.

The Guardian

What happened between then and 2014, when it is believed Harith made his way to the Middle East, is of course a matter of speculation that can only be cleared up by the present government.

The Guardian - Opinion

Clearly, the question of the title needs to be cleared up before we can proceed with this week's video.

The Guardian - Music

The details would be cleared up later.

The Economist

"Lindsay is glad this matter has been cleared up so she can focus on her upcoming projects," her spokesman Steve Honig said.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can be cleared up", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being resolved or clarified. Providing specific details will enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "can be cleared up" without specifying what "it" refers to. For example, instead of saying "The issue can be cleared up", specify "The misunderstanding about the project deadline can be cleared up".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be cleared up" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating the possibility of resolving or clarifying a situation. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, from correcting misunderstandings to addressing ambiguities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

26%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can be cleared up" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to express the possibility of resolving or clarifying a situation. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it is particularly frequent in news and media, and scientific contexts. While the phrase itself is neutral in tone, it's important to provide specific context to what "it" refers to in order to ensure clarity. As demonstrated by Ludwig, the phrase is generally well-regarded and serves as a versatile tool for expressing the potential for resolution in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be resolved

Emphasizes the act of finding a solution or ending a problem.

can be clarified

Focuses on making something easier to understand by providing more information.

can be straightened out

Suggests correcting something that is wrong or disorganized.

can be sorted out

Implies organizing or dealing with a problem in a systematic way.

can be settled

Focuses on reaching an agreement or ending a dispute.

can be rectified

Highlights correcting something that is wrong or unjust.

can be amended

Suggests making improvements or corrections to something.

can be debugged

Specifically refers to finding and fixing errors, often in a technical context.

can be untangled

Implies resolving a complex or confusing situation.

can be deciphered

Focuses on understanding something that is difficult to interpret.

FAQs

How can I use "can be cleared up" in a sentence?

Use "can be cleared up" to indicate that a misunderstanding or problem is capable of being resolved or clarified. For example, "Any ambiguity in the contract "can be cleared up" through discussion".

What phrases are similar to "can be cleared up"?

Similar phrases include "can be resolved", "can be clarified", and "can be sorted out". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "can be cleared up" or "can be resolved"?

Both "can be cleared up" and "can be resolved" are grammatically correct and widely used. "Can be cleared up" implies removing confusion, while "can be resolved" suggests solving a problem. The better choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.

What does "can be cleared up" mean?

The phrase "can be cleared up" means that something that is currently confusing, problematic, or misunderstood has the potential to become clear, resolved, or understood correctly. It implies that the situation is not necessarily permanent and that clarification or resolution is possible.