clarify once and for all

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clarify once and for all" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the need for a definitive explanation or resolution to a question or issue. Example: "I need you to clarify once and for all whether we are moving forward with the project or not."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Still, given the ever-increasing mobility and interaction of people of all nationalities, the odds of even more perplexing scenarios will only multiply in the future, so wouldn't it be a good idea to clarify once and for all the meaning of "natural born citizen"?

Huffington Post

Understanding the underlying molecular mediators and the mechanisms would make it possible to clarify once and for all the antioxidant activity of autophagy.

Cell Death and Differentiation

For this reason we are currently engaged in a formal meta-analysis of all published studies that have used FISH or chromogenic in situ hybridisation to determine the HER-2/ neu status and hope to clarify once and for all the controversial status of HER-2/ neu as a prognostic factor in breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Thorkild Grosboll, a popular Lutheran pastor in this village by the sea, drags on his pipe and clarifies once and for all: "I do not believe in a physical God, in the afterlife, in the resurrection, in the Virgin Mary".

The New York Times

The appeal, said Group Lotus head of legal Sarah Price, is "so that the right to use the Lotus brand in Formula 1 is clarified once and for all".

BBC

What they should do, however, is pass a constitutional amendment clarifying once and for all that corporations are not human and can't usurp the rights of human beings.

Huffington Post

I have suggested that there is no once-and-for-all answer.

Safety Science

The real solution, however, would be for Congress to clarify matters once and for all by passing a bill that gives consumers the right to unlock their devices for non-infringing uses.

Los Angeles Times

"Funding bodies, laboratory and clinical researchers must clarify with some urgency, once and for all, whether this organism is important in Crohn's disease or is merely a curious bystander.

The Guardian

After so many mixed results in the past, in 2009 researchers at the University of British Columbia tried to clarify the situation once and for all.

BBC

But rather than clarifying the dam's impact once and for all, the report has become the latest pawn in a war of words between Egypt and Ethiopia.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clarify once and for all" when you want to emphasize the importance of resolving an ambiguity or misunderstanding permanently. It suggests a need for a definitive explanation that leaves no room for further debate or confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "clarify once and for all" in very casual or informal settings. The phrase carries a tone of seriousness and finality, which may sound overly dramatic or stiff in everyday conversation. Simpler alternatives might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clarify once and for all" functions as a verb phrase emphasizing the need for a definitive explanation or resolution. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it highlights that something needs to be explained clearly and finally, leaving no room for further doubt or debate. Examples from Ludwig show its usage in various contexts, aiming to bring finality to a discussion or issue.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "clarify once and for all" is a verb phrase used to emphasize the necessity for a definitive and unambiguous explanation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts, predominantly in news, media, and scientific domains. While the phrase is generally neutral to formal, it is best used when stressing the need for finality in resolving ambiguities or misunderstandings. Related phrases include "settle once and for all" and "resolve definitively". It is important to avoid overusing the phrase in casual contexts, where simpler alternatives may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

settle once and for all

Replaces "clarify" with "settle", focusing on resolving an issue rather than explaining it.

resolve definitively

Uses more formal language, replacing "once and for all" with "definitively" to emphasize the finality of the resolution.

determine conclusively

Emphasizes the act of reaching a firm conclusion, rather than the process of clarification.

establish beyond doubt

Shifts the focus to removing any uncertainty, rather than just providing clarity.

make absolutely clear

Focuses on ensuring complete understanding, changing the emphasis from finality to comprehensibility.

state definitively

Replaces "clarify" with a more direct term, emphasizing the act of making a clear statement.

elucidate definitively

Uses more formal and elaborate language than the original phrase. The term 'elucidate' refers to making something clear.

iron out once and for all

Replaces "clarify" with "iron out", focusing on the process of removing difficulties or problems.

set straight once and for all

Emphasizes correcting a misunderstanding or error, rather than simply providing clarification.

ascertain beyond question

Focuses on confirming something to be true without any doubt, rather than clarifying its meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "clarify once and for all" in a sentence?

You can use "clarify once and for all" to emphasize the need for a definitive explanation or resolution. For example: "The company needs to "clarify once and for all" its stance on the new regulations."

What does "clarify once and for all" mean?

"Clarify once and for all" means to explain something in a way that is completely clear and leaves no room for further doubt or discussion. It suggests a need for a final and definitive explanation.

What can I say instead of "clarify once and for all"?

Alternatives to "clarify once and for all" include phrases like "settle once and for all", "resolve definitively", or "make absolutely clear".

When is it appropriate to use "clarify once and for all"?

It's appropriate to use "clarify once and for all" when you need to emphasize the need for a final and unambiguous explanation to resolve a persistent ambiguity or misunderstanding, often in formal or serious contexts.