clarify the matter

USAGE SUMMARY

"clarify the matter" is a perfectly acceptable and grammatically correct phrase in written English.
You would use it when you want to suggest that someone should explain a situation more clearly. For example, "Can you please clarify the matter for us?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are happy to clarify the matter.

Independent

Mr. Cuomo later called a reporter to clarify the matter.

The New York Times

The office urged the State Legislature to clarify the matter.

The New York Times

The Trump Organization had done little to clarify the matter.

The New Yorker

Perkins wanted the legislature to clarify the matter.

The New York Times

I therefore urge you to clarify the matter as soon as possible".

The Guardian

We apologise to Mr Lennon and are happy to clarify the matter".

The Guardian

Efforts to reach Mr. Wilhelm to clarify the matter were unsuccessful.

The New York Times

The three groups call on Rangers, or the nomad Daniel Stewart, to clarify the matter.

The Guardian - Sport

A Police Department spokesman did not respond to a request to clarify the matter.

The New York Times

DeVos repeated her view that it was up to Congress to clarify the matter.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clarify the matter" in writing, ensure that the context clearly indicates what 'matter' you are referring to. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating the subject needing clarification.

Common error

Avoid using "clarify the matter" without providing context. Readers may not understand what needs clarification if the 'matter' isn't clearly defined.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clarify the matter" functions as a request for or an offer to provide additional details or explanation. It generally implies that something is unclear or ambiguous and needs to be made more understandable. Ludwig AI states this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

4%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clarify the matter" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to request or offer additional explanation to resolve ambiguity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity. It is versatile, appearing in various contexts from news reports to academic papers and is suitable for most registers. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to provide context to avoid vagueness. Consider alternative phrases like "explain the situation" or "provide clarification" for nuanced communication. Keep in mind the intended audience and the nature of the information being presented to ensure effective communication and understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Provide clarification

Focuses on the act of giving more detail to remove ambiguity.

Make it clearer

A more direct and concise way of asking for clarification.

Offer an explanation

Suggests giving a detailed account of the subject.

Give more details

Emphasizes the provision of additional information to enhance understanding.

Explain the situation

Focuses on providing a detailed account or reason, rather than just making something clear.

Shed light on the issue

Implies revealing new information or perspectives to make the issue easier to understand.

Spell it out

Suggests explaining something very directly and simply, leaving no room for misunderstanding.

Elucidate the point

A more formal way of saying to make the point clear and understandable, often used in academic contexts.

Illuminate the subject

A more metaphorical way of describing clarification, suggesting a deeper understanding.

Get to the bottom of it

Focuses on discovering the root cause or truth of the issue, not just clarifying it.

FAQs

How can I use "clarify the matter" in a sentence?

You can use "clarify the matter" when you want someone to provide more details or explanation to make something easier to understand. For example, "The company needs to "clarify the matter" to its investors".

What are some alternatives to "clarify the matter"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "explain the situation", "shed light on the issue", or "provide clarification" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "clarify the matter" or "explain the matter"?

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Clarify the matter" implies making something less confusing, while "explain the matter" suggests providing a detailed account. Choose the phrase that best fits the context.

What does it mean when someone says "let's clarify the matter"?

When someone says "let's clarify the matter", it usually means they want to address confusion or uncertainty surrounding a particular issue and provide a clearer explanation or understanding.