clarifies how

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clarifies how" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when explaining or detailing the manner in which something is made clear or understood. Example: "The report clarifies how the new policy will impact employee benefits."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Thus our finding clarifies how people distinguish between gay and straight faces.

The New York Times

But if "Justice Brennan" clarifies how Brennan accomplished what he did, it sometimes disappoints when it attempts to explain why.

The New York Times - Books

It is yet another way that the astounding Schaulager exhibition clarifies how he unlocks the mysteries of the human heart.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's about the journey and the arrival," he said, "about architecture that clarifies how you move through a space".

The New York Times - Arts

NEIL GOLDFARB, helpfully both a lawyer and a linguist blogging at LAWnLinguistics, usefully clarifies how specialists think about generic versus trademarkable terms in both of his fields.

The Economist

The provision clarifies how much time pharmaceutical companies have to apply for patent extensions that can provide extra years of protection from generic competition.

The New York Times

The resulting theme and variation clarifies how he amplified the different visual and perceptual possibilities of a form by changing materials, making the same piece specific in new ways.

The New York Times - Arts

This would be partly due to all the main parties needing to spend longer consulting their own parties on any prospective coalition deal and partly because the Fixed Term Parliament Act clarifies how a government is formed and dissolved.

The Guardian

The change, spotted by 9to5Mac, clarifies how this system will operate.

TechCrunch

The better reading of the Court's decision is that it clarifies how this vexing issue should now be addressed.

Forbes

Hereafter this article analyzes both directions of the transfer and clarifies how the direction affects the effective tax rate.

Environmental Systems Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clarifies how", ensure that the subsequent explanation is specific and detailed enough to genuinely improve understanding. Avoid vague or general statements.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "clarifies how" but then provide an oversimplified or incomplete explanation. Ensure the explanation offers real insight or detail, not just a restatement of the original issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clarifies how" functions as a relative clause that introduces an explanation of a process, method, or reason. It connects a statement with the specific manner in which something becomes more understandable, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "clarifies how" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction in English. According to Ludwig AI, it serves to introduce an explanation, detailing the manner in which something becomes clearer. It is most commonly found in scientific and news contexts. When using this phrase, be sure to follow up with specific and insightful details to improve understanding. Consider alternatives like "explains how" or "elucidates how" for varied expression. The consistent and authoritative source material solidifies its reliability in both formal and neutral writing, making "clarifies how" a versatile tool for enhancing clarity in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explains how

Focuses on providing an explanation rather than necessarily clarifying something already existing.

shows how

A more general term that simply indicates that something is being displayed or explained.

elucidates how

Suggests a more detailed and thorough explanation, bringing light to a complex issue.

details how

Emphasizes a step-by-step or point-by-point description of a process or situation.

illustrates how

Focuses on providing visual or concrete examples to aid understanding.

demonstrates how

Highlights the act of showing or proving something through evidence or example.

reveals how

Implies uncovering something previously hidden or unknown.

outlines how

Provides a summary or general structure of a process or concept.

defines how

Focuses on establishing a clear and precise meaning or scope.

indicates how

Suggests that something points to or suggests a particular method or process.

FAQs

How can I use "clarifies how" in a sentence?

Use "clarifies how" to introduce an explanation of a process, method, or concept. For example, "This study clarifies how the new treatment affects patients."

What are some alternatives to "clarifies how"?

You can use alternatives like "explains how", "elucidates how", or "demonstrates how" depending on the specific context.

Is "clarifies how" formal or informal?

"Clarifies how" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, making it appropriate for academic papers, news articles, and professional communications.

What's the difference between "clarifies how" and "explains how"?

"Clarifies how" suggests making something already partially understood clearer, while "explains how" implies providing an explanation from the beginning, without prior understanding necessarily assumed.