clarify points

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clarify points" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to explaining or making something clearer or more understandable. For example: "Please clarify the points raised in the meeting so that we can decide how to move forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Students should include lists of criteria for judging Web sites, questions to ask while writing the review, their checklists, and whenever possible, examples to clarify points.

The New York Times

He has written more than 600 dissents over the years, and he said last week that he felt an obligation to clarify points of disagreement.

The New York Times

Giga Bokeria, secretary of Georgia's National Security Council, said it was not clear whether Russia was raising significant objections to the proposal or simply seeking to clarify points that have been left vague, like the question of what public entity would oversee the company that will monitor trade on the border.

The New York Times

More specifically, in the creationist evolutionist debates, it will help clarify points of conflict.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Though the conference preceded publication of the PNAS article, several of the presentations helped clarify points it raised.

Science Magazine

Points about ratification in decision problems clarify points about equilibrium in game theory because in games of strategy a player's choice often furnishes evidence about other players' choices.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

3. Three clarifying points: first, the DRR has been formulated in importantly different ways.

SEP

Participants then added to or clarified points of the discussion.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

I don't mean literate like this," he clarifies, pointing to his desk.

The Guardian

However I should clarify two points.

The Economist

I'd like to clarify two points.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, use "clarify points" to ensure your audience fully understands complex ideas. Providing examples or additional context can help in this process.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that you will "clarify points" without actually doing so. Always follow up with specific details or examples to support your clarification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clarify points" functions as a verb phrase where "clarify" is the verb and "points" is the direct object. It indicates the action of making certain aspects or items more understandable. As shown in Ludwig, this is a grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clarify points" is a grammatically sound phrase commonly used to indicate the action of making something clearer or more understandable. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is perfectly acceptable in written English. Its usage spans various contexts, including science, news media, and general communication, with a neutral register making it versatile for diverse audiences. When using "clarify points", it's best practice to follow up with specific details or examples to ensure effective communication and avoid simply stating the intention without actual clarification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elucidate aspects

Focuses on providing more detail and clarity to particular aspects of a topic.

explain details

Emphasizes providing a clear explanation of specific details.

illuminate the matters

Uses "illuminate" and "matters" to add a slightly more formal tone.

resolve ambiguities

Addresses and clarifies any ambiguous or unclear elements.

shed light on issues

Implies making something easier to understand, like uncovering hidden information.

make clear the items

Rephrases using "items" instead of "points" focusing on distinct elements needing clarification.

spell out specifics

Suggests a very detailed and explicit explanation.

define key areas

Focuses on defining and clarifying important areas or subjects.

demystify subjects

Suggests removing confusion or mystery surrounding certain subjects.

simplify concepts

Emphasizes making complex concepts easier to understand.

FAQs

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

You can use "clarify points" to indicate that you are going to make something clearer or more understandable. For example, "Let me clarify the points I made earlier about the budget."

What is a good alternative to "clarify points"?

Alternatives to "clarify points" include "elucidate aspects", "explain details", or "shed light on issues" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "clarify points" or "clarify the points"?

Both "clarify points" and "clarify the points" are grammatically correct. "Clarify the points" is more specific, referring to particular points already mentioned, while "clarify points" is more general.

What's the difference between "clarify points" and "explain points"?

"Clarify points" suggests making something already mentioned easier to understand, while "explain points" suggests providing a full explanation, even if it hasn't been previously discussed.