clarification is needed

USAGE SUMMARY

'clarification is needed' is a perfectly valid sentence and can be used in written English.
For example, "The report's statistics seem confusing - clarification is needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hence, clarification is needed.

Environmental Impact Assessment Review

Clarification is needed on the influence of precipitation and anthropogenic factors on streamflow decline in Beijing.

Journal of Hydrology

Great article, except that clarification is needed regarding (potential) side-effects.

Harvard University

Please contact the Disability Services staff if further clarification is needed.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

We are still being told more clarification is needed about the warranty.

Independent

Clarification is needed before writing a repeated product of either zero factors or a fractional number of factors.

Britannica

We look forward to hearing from you to answer any questions you have or if any clarification is needed.

Cornell University

Although I am heartened by the growing sense that the qualification reforms will retain a significant proportion of non-examined assessment, clarification is needed about what "exam" means.

The Guardian

"Whatever clarification is needed, I don't think is that big a deal that we need to go on and on just clarifying any moot points".

The New York Times - Sports

Now there are certain aspects which are unclear about the I.R.A's position, and further clarification is needed about what it amounts to".

The New York Times

Clarification is needed on the law around "revenge porn" and when it could lead to a prosecution, a committee of peers has said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clarification is needed", be specific about what requires clarification to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "clarification is needed", specify "clarification is needed regarding the project timeline".

Common error

Avoid using "clarification is needed" without indicating the specific topic or aspect that requires clarification. This can lead to confusion and inefficiency. Always provide context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clarification is needed" functions as a request or statement indicating that something is not clear and requires further explanation. It's a common way to express a need for more information or detail, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

27%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clarification is needed" is a versatile and commonly used phrase that signals a requirement for further explanation or detail. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across diverse contexts, including science, news, and academia. While it's generally neutral in tone, being specific about what needs clarification enhances its effectiveness. Consider alternatives like "further explanation is required" or "more detail is necessary" for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

further explanation is required

Emphasizes the necessity of providing more detailed information.

more detail is necessary

Highlights the need for additional specific information.

further details are required

Similar to "more detail is necessary", focusing on the need for supplementary information.

elaboration is required

Suggests that a more thorough explanation is needed.

additional information is necessary

Points out that more information is needed to fully understand the subject.

greater clarity is required

Focuses on improving the understandability of something.

further information would be helpful

A more polite way of asking for more information.

additional details would be appreciated

Indicates a need for more details in a courteous manner.

more insight is needed

Implies a need for a deeper understanding or perspective.

a more precise definition is required

Highlights the need for a more accurate and clear definition.

FAQs

How can I use "clarification is needed" in a sentence?

You can use "clarification is needed" to indicate that something is unclear and requires further explanation. For example, "The instructions were confusing; clarification is needed."

What are some alternatives to "clarification is needed"?

Alternatives include "further explanation is required", "more detail is necessary", or "greater clarity is required" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "clarification is needed"?

"Clarification is needed" is appropriate when something is ambiguous, vague, or requires further explanation to be fully understood. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Is "clarification is needed" formal or informal?

"Clarification is needed" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings. However, more formal alternatives like "further elaboration is required" might be preferred in highly formal contexts.