clarify matters

USAGE SUMMARY

"clarify matters" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to direct someone to provide more details about something. For example, "Can you please clarify matters by providing more information about the project timeline?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

We are glad to clarify matters.

Independent

He said it "could further clarify matters".

The New York Times

Rather than clarify matters, the autopsy report created more confusion.

The New York Times

The court will soon have an opportunity to clarify matters.

The New York Times

The prospect of expulsion would clarify matters quickly.

The New York Times

The court's ruling did little to clarify matters.

The Economist

Elimination from three tournaments could, he insists, help clarify matters.

The New York Times - Sports

Congress can and should clarify matters with legislation.

The New York Times

The British government should end this uncertainty as soon as possible and clarify matters.

The Guardian - Opinion

Andrew Tyrie, the committee chair, stepped in to try to clarify matters.

The Guardian - Business

"There is no such thing as a best penalty taker," he said, failing to clarify matters.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clarify matters", ensure you provide specific details or ask targeted questions to effectively address the ambiguity. Vague requests for clarification can be unproductive.

Common error

While "clarify matters" is generally acceptable, avoid relying on it excessively in highly formal writing. Opt for stronger verbs like "elucidate", "explicate", or "define" to convey greater precision and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clarify matters" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where 'clarify' acts as the main verb and 'matters' serves as the object. According to Ludwig, it is used to request or offer further explanation to resolve ambiguity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clarify matters" is a versatile and frequently used phrase that serves to request or offer further explanation to resolve ambiguity or confusion. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it is most commonly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts. While it is generally acceptable in most situations, more formal alternatives like "elucidate" or "explicate" may be preferable in highly formal writing. Remember to be specific and provide detailed information when using this phrase to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clear up any confusion

Aims to eliminate any existing misunderstanding or lack of clarity.

make things clear

A more general way of expressing the need for clarification, suitable for informal contexts.

shed light on the situation

Focuses on making something clearer by revealing more information about it.

elucidate the issue

Emphasizes making something complex more understandable through detailed explanation.

explain the details

Highlights the act of providing a comprehensive explanation of specific information.

resolve the ambiguity

Directly targets the removal of uncertainty or vagueness.

set the record straight

Implies correcting previous misinformation or inaccuracies.

iron out any misunderstandings

Focuses on resolving specific points of confusion or disagreement.

get to the bottom of things

Indicates a thorough investigation to uncover the underlying facts.

spell it out

Suggests providing a very explicit and straightforward explanation, potentially in response to a lack of understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "clarify matters" when you need someone to explain something in more detail or to resolve a misunderstanding. For example: "Could you please "clarify matters" regarding the budget allocation?"

What's a more formal alternative to "clarify matters"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "elucidate the issue" or "explicate the details" to convey a similar meaning with greater sophistication.

Is it better to say "clarify matters" or "clarify things"?

"Clarify matters" is generally more appropriate when discussing specific issues or subjects, while "clarify things" is a broader, more general expression that can refer to a wider range of situations. If you need to "make things clear" choose depending on the degree of specificity needed.

How does "clarify matters" differ from "explain"?

"Explain" generally means to provide information about something, while ""clarify matters"" suggests that there is some existing confusion or ambiguity that needs to be resolved through further explanation.