clarify instructions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clarify instructions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want someone to make their instructions clearer or more understandable. Example: "Before we proceed, could you please clarify the instructions for the project so that everyone is on the same page?"

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The jurors asked the judge, Frederic Block of United States District Court, to clarify instructions regarding finding the defendant, Lemrick Nelson Jr., guilty of "aiding and abetting" the violation of the federal civil rights of Yankel Rosenbaum.

The New York Times

In this week's Scrubbing Up Dr John Holden says patients should not be afraid to ask their GP to clarify instructions on medication or treatment.

BBC

The CDC workgroup proposed to expand and redefine occupational categories and clarify instructions for reporting case occupation.

BMC Public Health

Based on their feedback, adjustments were made to the survey instrument to clarify instructions and the wording of the questions.

BMC Public Health

Although the test is fully automatic, for ethical reasons, the presence of personnel while testing is mandatory, as to clarify instructions or halt the test, if cannot be completed [ 22].

Fluids and Barriers of the CNS

The questionnaire was pretested on 10 students who did not take part in the actual study, to clarify instructions, relevancy, usability and completion time, to refine and introduce modifications where necessary and to ascertain reliability and validity [ 21].

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

By taking the judgments of students seriously, it will help many teachers clarify instruction as they teach in a more captivating manner in districts that use the MET results as they are intended.

Huffington Post

Other patterns of procedural feedback exchanges, as identified by Hanjani and Li (2014), are providing directives to peers, asking them to read parts of the texts, assigning responsibilities and clarifying instructions.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

We piloted this process with three family physicians and two lay people beforehand and responded by clarifying instructions and briefing each panellist individually before the rating process.

BMC Family Practice

Clearly defined criteria in the rubric also relates to improvement of instruction for it helps clarify instructional goals and serves as teaching targets (Arter & McTighe, 2001).

Language Testing in Asia

If so, use e-mail messages to discuss nonurgent matters or lingering concerns, to clarify treatment instructions and to report an improvement in symptoms.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clarify instructions", ensure the instructions already exist but are potentially ambiguous or unclear. It is about making something already present more understandable, not creating something new.

Common error

A common error is to attempt to "clarify instructions" without first assessing the audience's existing level of understanding. Always tailor the clarification to the specific needs and knowledge base of the people receiving the instructions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clarify instructions" functions as a directive, commonly used to request or offer assistance in making directions more understandable. Ludwig examples show it used in contexts where ambiguity exists and requires resolution.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

28%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clarify instructions" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that requests the simplification of directions. As Ludwig AI shows, it's most commonly found in scientific and news contexts. To ensure correct usage, make sure the instructions are pre-existing and that the "clarification" enhances understanding rather than creating something new. Some excellent alternatives include "explain directions" or "elucidate guidelines". The examples analyzed by Ludwig confirm that this phrase serves to improve comprehension and prevent errors, so focus on clarity and audience awareness when using it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elucidate guidelines

Focuses on making guidelines clearer, slightly more formal.

explain directions

Replaces "instructions" with "directions", implying a more navigational context.

simplify procedures

Shifts focus to making procedures less complex, rather than just clarifying them.

detail requirements

Emphasizes providing more detail about what is required, not necessarily making existing instructions clearer.

spell out the steps

Suggests giving a very explicit and detailed account of each step.

provide clarification on rules

Focuses on the act of clarifying rather than the instruction itself.

demystify the process

Implies making a process that seems mysterious or difficult to understand clearer.

illuminate the plan

Focuses on making a plan more understandable, using a more metaphorical term.

interpret regulations

Highlights the act of interpreting regulations, often used in legal or compliance contexts.

break down the task

Focuses on dividing a task into smaller, more manageable parts to aid understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "clarify instructions" in a sentence?

You can use "clarify instructions" when you need someone to make the directions or guidelines easier to understand. For example, "Could you please clarify the instructions for assembling this furniture?"

What are some alternatives to "clarify instructions"?

Alternatives include "explain directions", "elucidate guidelines", or "simplify procedures" depending on the context.

Is it better to "clarify instructions" or "rewrite instructions"?

Whether to "clarify instructions" or rewrite them depends on the extent of the problem. If the instructions are fundamentally flawed, rewriting might be necessary. If they are mostly correct but confusing, clarifying them is sufficient.

When should I ask someone to "clarify instructions"?

Ask for someone to "clarify instructions" when you find them ambiguous, incomplete, or difficult to follow. It's better to ask for clarification before making mistakes based on misunderstanding.