clarify question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clarify question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to politely ask for clarification on a particular issue. For example, "Can you please clarify your question?".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Those same books are the ones that challenge me perennially to clarify, question, and refine my understanding of the world, whether it be a political issue or a new development in clean-energy technology. .

Huffington Post

An enhanced awareness of self and others was maximised during the interview process by introducing examples to clarify question and through the process of theoretical sampling which introduced divergent perspectives into the data collection process.

BMC Health Services Research

As for any self-administered questionnaire, accurate responses may have been impaired by the inability to clarify question intent with a web-based survey and because completion was unsupervised and at the respondent's leisure, pharmacists could have suspended completing the questionnaire in order to look up certain answers.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The process prompted revision of the tool to clarify questions and answers.

Tuberculosis

"I want to be remembered as a philosophical instructor who could clarify questions, and present good ideas clearly," he wrote.

The Guardian - Books

Interviewer-guided questionnaires can go into more detail and interviewers can clarify questions if needed.

Crime Science

Researchers were present to clarify questions.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

There was also the opportunity to clarify questions during completion of the questionnaire.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

Questionnaires were completed by participants, but study staff were also available to clarify questions.

HIV/AIDS - Research and Palliative Care

Participants completed the questionnaire on school grounds; researchers were present to clarify questions.

BMC Public Health

In contrast to questionnaires, telephone interviews afford participants to clarify questions and validate answers.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clarify question", ensure the context makes it clear who is clarifying and for whom. For example, specify the role of the person who clarifies the question (e.g. interviewer, researcher, instructor).

Common error

Avoid simply simplifying a question to the point where it loses its nuance. "Clarify question" means to make the intent and specifics more understandable, not to reduce its complexity unnecessarily.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clarify question" primarily functions as a request or instruction for someone to make a question more understandable. It emphasizes the need for better comprehension before an answer can be provided. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

11%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clarify question" is a grammatically correct phrase used to request or offer assistance in understanding a query. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Although it is not exceedingly common, with examples primarily found in scientific and news media contexts, it serves an important communicative purpose. To effectively employ the phrase, focus on providing context and avoid oversimplification. Related phrases such as "explain the question" or "rephrase the question" can offer alternative ways to express the same idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explain the question

Focuses on providing an explanation or further details about the question.

rephrase the question

Suggests rewording the question to make it easier to understand.

elaborate on the question

Implies providing more details and expanding on the question.

illuminate the question

Emphasizes bringing clarity and understanding to the question.

define the question

Concentrates on providing a precise definition of the terms used in the question.

specify the question

Highlights the need to be more specific and detailed in the question.

unpack the question

Indicates breaking down the question into smaller, more manageable parts.

resolve the question

Suggests finding a solution or answer to the question.

refine the question

Implies improving the quality or precision of the question.

interpret the question

Focuses on understanding the meaning and underlying intent of the question.

FAQs

How can I politely ask someone to "clarify question"?

You can use phrases like "Could you please elaborate on your question?", "Could you rephrase your question?", or "Can you "explain the question" in more detail?"

What is the difference between "clarify question" and "answer question"?

"Clarify question" means to make the question itself more understandable, while "answer question" means to provide a response to the question.

When is it appropriate to ask someone to "clarify question"?

It is appropriate to ask someone to "clarify question" when the question is ambiguous, unclear, or you need more information to fully understand what is being asked.

What are some alternative ways to ask someone to "clarify question"?

You can ask them to "rephrase the question", "elaborate on the question", or "provide more detail".