clarify on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clarify on" is not correct or usable in written English.
You would need to use the phrase "clarify" or "clarify [something]." For example: "Can you clarify the point you are trying to make?".

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

To clarify, on the one hand it was assumed that trust increases euthanasia acceptance, because trust should render fear of abuses less likely.

BMC Medical Ethics

A rumor that no one could clarify on account of the spotty internet on board.

Vice

NS wanted to clarify on that: "No one actually believes that pls... some people are retards but the idea is more nuanced than that when properly expressed".

Vice

There are some points that I would like to clarify on your Wal-Mart article.

The New York Times

The problem is that articles like this do no clarify, on purpose.

University of California, Berkeley

In any case, the team's vice-president, Adriano Galliani, was quick to clarify on Sunday evening that Allegri's position is not in immediate jeopardy.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Let me clarify one point on that.

Cornell University

Moore clarified on Tuesday that one individual had reportedly been stabbed, but could not identify an attacker.

The Washington Post

"Mark that as one score against me, I should've said al Qaeda terrorists," Hunter clarified on the show.

Huffington Post

This footnote was clarified on 22 February 2016.

The Guardian - Opinion

Thirteen patients were clarified on molecular level (46.4%).

Mutation Research-Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "clarify on". Instead, use the verb "clarify" directly followed by the topic needing clarification. For example, "Could you clarify the new policy?" is preferable to "Could you clarify on the new policy?"

Common error

The preposition "on" is often unnecessary after "clarify". Overusing prepositions can make your writing sound awkward. Double-check sentences where you use "clarify on" and remove "on" to improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clarify on" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used to introduce the topic that needs further explanation. While frequently encountered, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

37%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "clarify on" is relatively common, especially in news and media contexts, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. It's better to use the verb "clarify" directly followed by the topic needing clarification, such as "clarify the issue". Alternatives like "elaborate on" or "expand upon" can also be used depending on the specific context. Therefore, consciously avoid "clarify on" to ensure grammatical correctness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarify

Omits the preposition "on", resulting in a grammatically correct alternative.

explain further

Indicates a more detailed explanation.

elaborate on

Focuses on providing more details and expanding the explanation.

expand upon

Similar to elaborate, suggesting a more thorough explanation.

provide clarification about

Uses a noun form to specify that clarification is being given.

provide details about

Emphasizes the act of giving specific information.

shed light on

Implies making something clearer or more understandable.

offer insights into

Suggests providing a deeper understanding of a topic.

give further explanation of

Focuses on giving added explanation of something.

go into more detail about

Directly indicates a more in-depth discussion.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "clarify on"?

No, the phrase "clarify on" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct usage is to use "clarify" without the preposition "on". For example, say "clarify the issue" instead of "clarify on the issue."

What can I say instead of "clarify on"?

Instead of "clarify on", you can use alternatives like "elaborate on", "expand upon", or simply "clarify" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "clarify on the matter" or "clarify the matter"?

"Clarify the matter" is the correct and more concise phrasing. The preposition "on" is unnecessary after "clarify" in this context.

How do I avoid using "clarify on" in my writing?

When you want to clarify something, use the verb "clarify" followed directly by the noun or subject you're clarifying. For example, "Please clarify the instructions", instead of "Please clarify on the instructions".