clarification on why

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clarification on why" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to explain something or are providing additional information on a certain topic. For example, "John asked for clarification on why the company was changing its policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

As empty speculation does no one any good, we'll calmly wait for clarification on why the event's had its plug pulled at such short notice.

Vice

Get clarification on why each medication was prescribed for you and how they might interact with one another.

Harvard University

Consular staff visited the group who were arrested in Inner Mongolia, an FCO spokesman said, adding that they were "seeking further clarification" on why they had been detained.

Independent

He demanded proof that the dollar amounts had not been "plucked from thin air" and sought clarification on why there was no relief for the millions of Facebook users whose names and photographs had already been used in the advertisements.

The New York Times

He added: "I did have a conversation with Chris to try to seek clarification on why I had been left out of the initial squad for both the Macedonia and the Serbia matches - but at no stage did I state that I would refuse to play for Wales.

BBC

Saylor said CAIR has not yet communicated with the UAE's government but is seeking clarification on why these designations were approved.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

There was still no clarification of why the tires fail.

The New York Times

We were simply told that our proposal was "unserious" without any clarification on the reasons why they deemed so and without a proper meeting to discuss it.

Forbes

This type of question is good for getting clarification on a previous question ("Why do you feel this way?") or getting an opinion without taking the chance that you're leading the respondent to answer in a certain manner.

WikiHow

At one point, as Kowal sought clarification on what information Wu wanted, he asked the judge why he wanted it.

Los Angeles Times

Next month on Time Warner Cable's home turf, Smit will be able to provide further clarification about why Comcast thinks the deal should go through.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clarification on why", ensure the context clearly indicates what needs to be clarified. Be specific about the subject requiring explanation to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "clarification on why" when a simpler phrase like "clarification of the reason" or "explanation" suffices. Redundancy can weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clarification on why" functions as a request for explanation or further details. It typically appears in contexts where there is a need to understand the reasons or motivations behind a decision, action, or event. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clarification on why" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that functions as a request for further explanation or details. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for use in written English. The phrase is most commonly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While there are alternative phrases like "explanation for why" or "reason for why", "clarification on why" is a useful and accepted way to seek understanding and resolve ambiguity. To enhance your writing, it's best to use the phrase with precision, ensuring the subject needing explanation is clear. Overall it is important to avoid being redundant by using simpler phrases when possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explanation for why

Replaces "clarification on" with "explanation for", emphasizing the reason behind something.

reason for why

Focuses specifically on the reason or cause.

justification for why

Highlights the need for a valid justification or rationale.

rationale behind why

Emphasizes the underlying logic or principles.

elaboration on the reasons why

Asks for a more detailed explanation of the reasons.

details about why

Seeks specific details and information about the reasons.

further explanation of why

Requests additional explanation.

more information on why

Seeks a higher volume of information.

background on why

Focuses on the events or circumstances that preceded something.

insight into why

Looks to understand the cause.

FAQs

How can I use "clarification on why" in a sentence?

You can use "clarification on why" when you need an explanation for something. For example, "The team requested "clarification on why" the project timeline was changed."

What are some alternatives to "clarification on why"?

Alternatives include "explanation for why", "reason for why", or simply asking for the "reasons" behind something.

Is it grammatically correct to say "clarification on why"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. It's a common way to ask for further explanation or details about a particular reason or cause.

What's the difference between "clarification on why" and "explanation of why"?

While both are similar, "explanation of why" might sound slightly more formal. "Clarification on why" often implies that some initial information has already been provided, but further details are needed.