clarifies

USAGE SUMMARY

"clarifies" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something is made more understandable or when a complicated or confusing point is made clear. For example, "The professor's lecture clarified the complex concepts of calculus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

SNP-supported? "That would concern me," she clarifies.

The Guardian

Her local paper does not give up, and the senator clarifies: I'm going to give you the same answer I have given you many times.

The Guardian

Twelve years later, a cheery Walsh clarifies the situation.

The Guardian - Music

But presuming that Mr Putin does have a rational strategy for intervening in Ukraine, today's op-ed by Ruslan Pukhov, head of a Russian defence think-tank, helpfully clarifies what it might be.Mr.Mr

The Economist

"I'm not suggesting the return of the EO in its old form," Mr Sundarmoorthy clarifies, before adding that Malaysia needs a criminal law "which focuses on public safety".There are other people who think this a weak excuse.

The Economist

He adds linking commentary between the letters that would amount to a book in itself, and which clarifies many points, small and large, about Russell's eventful and controversial life.

The Economist

This elegant display clarifies exactly why Lanvin's designs warrant returning to them: she had a talent for creating garments that would still be exquisite on the red carpet a century later".Jeanne Lanvin" is on at the Palais Galliera in Paris until August 23rd 2015.

The Economist

Fortunately, Ms Reinhart and Mr Rogoff have published a new paper (no link, sorry) that clarifies the issues from an apolitical perspective.

The Economist

It also clarifies who is responsible in the many cases when no will is left.In this section Rich pickings Vest in peace Bench-mark Beach rush ReprintsBut this will require member states to honour judgments made under odd foreign laws and to ignore much-prized local ones such as those requiring testators to recognise close relatives.

The Economist

The new bill merely clarifies and limits such powers.

The Economist

As Mr Sullum clarifies late in his post, a libertarian worth his salt should not be satisfied with a Hobby Lobby exemption from the contraceptive mandate.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clarifies" when you want to emphasize that something previously unclear is now easier to understand. It's particularly effective when resolving ambiguity or confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "clarifies" when a simpler verb like "explains" or "shows" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "clarifies" is as a transitive verb, indicating an action performed on an object to make it clearer. This is supported by Ludwig, confirming its correct usage in various contexts. The word functions to resolve ambiguity or enhance understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clarifies" is a versatile transitive verb that denotes the act of making something easier to understand by removing ambiguity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and formal writing. While "clarifies" is valuable for resolving confusion, avoid overuse in situations where simpler alternatives like "explains" or "shows" are more appropriate. Related terms such as "elucidates" and "simplifies" offer nuanced ways to express the achievement of clarity. Remember to use "clarifies" when you aim to highlight the process of resolving ambiguity and enhancing comprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elucidates

This term suggests a more thorough explanation, often bringing light to something previously obscure.

illuminates

Implies making something clearer by shedding light on it, either literally or figuratively.

expounds

Suggests a detailed explanation, often with careful and systematic argumentation.

explicates

Indicates a careful and detailed explanation of a text or idea.

defines

Focuses on setting out the meaning of something clearly and precisely.

simplifies

Highlights the act of making something less complex and easier to understand.

articulates

Emphasizes expressing something in a clear and coherent manner.

spells out

Indicates explaining something very clearly and in detail, leaving no room for ambiguity.

untangles

Suggests resolving a complicated or confused situation.

interprets

Involves explaining the meaning of something, often with a degree of subjectivity.

FAQs

How can I use "clarifies" in a sentence?

Use "clarifies" to indicate that something is made easier to understand. For example, "The new evidence "clarifies" the situation".

What are some alternatives to using "clarifies"?

You can use alternatives like "elucidates", "illuminates", or "simplifies" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "clarifies" and "explains"?

"Explains" generally means to make something understandable, while "clarifies" implies removing confusion or ambiguity and making something already partially understood, easier to grasp. "He "explains" the theory" vs. "He "clarifies" the misunderstanding".

When is it inappropriate to use "clarifies"?

Avoid using "clarifies" when a simpler word like "shows" or "states" would be more appropriate, especially in contexts where no prior confusion exists. For example, instead of saying "The graph "clarifies" the data," you could say "The graph "shows" the data".