clarify questions

USAGE SUMMARY

"clarify questions" is correct and usable in written English.
You might use it when you want readers to understand any issues or uncertainties that readers or other people have. For example, "The teacher was very patient as he clarified the students' questions about the mathematics problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Books

TEHRAN — Mohamed ElBaradei, the chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency, on Friday urged Iran to move more quickly to clarify questions about its nuclear activities, the Iranian news agency ISNA reported.

The New York Times

(Trump has yet to fulfill his campaign promise to hold a press conference to clarify questions surrounding Melania's immigration status; perhaps he will cover the matter in the same press conference he holds to issue his tax returns).

The New Yorker

In an effort to assist the process, Mr. Mubarak invited Mr. Barak and Mr. Arafat to go on Thursday to the Red Sea resort of Sharm el Sheik, where, Egyptian officials said, they could clarify questions about the Clinton package before moving on to Washington.

The New York Times

According to Weber, such undesirable consequences of disenchantment can be attributed above all to the fact that science inadequately fills the vacuum left by the diminishment of religion: science may be able to clarify questions of values and morals, but it is ultimately incapable of answering them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

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

Crime Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Encourage students to ask clarifying questions when necessary.

The New York Times

Another White House spokesman said the meeting lasted one hour and 40 minutes, and the White House team asked only "clarifying questions".

The New York Times

The system also now asks more clarifying questions, using natural language, to ensure better service overall.

TechCrunch

Post-hackathon, I had email conversations with the teams, and asked them a few clarifying questions.

TechCrunch

Asking clarifying questions in a non-defensive manner can help identify specific issues.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing instructions or guidelines, use "clarify questions" to emphasize the process of making the questions easier for the user to understand and answer accurately.

Common error

In casual conversations, consider using more informal alternatives like "explain" or "clear up" instead of "clarify questions" to avoid sounding overly formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clarify questions" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action performed upon the noun "questions". It describes the act of making the questions easier to understand. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

26%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "clarify questions" is grammatically sound and frequently employed across varied domains, including science, news, and business. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a correct and usable expression. It aims to enhance understanding by removing ambiguity from questions. Related phrases include "elucidate queries" and "explain doubts". When using "clarify questions", ensure the context aligns with its neutral to formal tone, and in more casual settings, consider simpler alternatives like "explain".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elucidate queries

Formal synonym, focusing on providing detailed explanations.

explain doubts

Focuses on addressing doubts by providing explanations.

resolve ambiguities in questions

Addresses the presence of ambiguity in questions.

answer concerns

Highlights responding to and resolving specific concerns.

address uncertainties

Focuses on directly handling uncertainties that arise from questions.

shed light on inquiries

Emphasizes making inquiries easier to understand.

provide clarity on issues

Highlights offering clarity specifically on raised issues.

demystify problems

Implies removing confusion and making problems easier to grasp.

clear up confusion about questions

Directly targets clearing up confusion specifically related to questions.

make inquiries understandable

Focuses on rendering inquiries easier to comprehend.

FAQs

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

You can use "clarify questions" to describe the act of making inquiries more understandable. For example, "The instructor took time to "clarify questions" about the assignment before the students began working on it".

What are some alternatives to "clarify questions"?

Alternatives include "explain doubts", "elucidate queries", or "resolve ambiguities" depending on the context.

Is it better to "clarify questions" before or after providing information?

It's generally best to "clarify questions" after providing initial information, as this allows individuals to process the information first and then seek clarification on specific points of confusion.

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

"Clarify questions" means to make the questions themselves more understandable, while "answer questions" means to provide solutions or responses to the questions.