clarify this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clarify this" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want someone to explain or make something clearer, often in a discussion or written communication. Example: "Could you please clarify this point about the budget proposal? I'm not sure I understand it fully."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Can you clarify this?

The New York Times

Can someone clarify this?

Princeton University

Perhaps he can clarify this.

The Economist

Can a clarify this statement?

Yale University

"We shall clarify this later," he said.

The New York Times

I wish he'd clarify this statement.

The Economist

Perhaps Obama can clarify this picture.

The New York Times

How did he later clarify this declaration?

The New Yorker

We are happy to clarify this.

The Economist

NICHOLAS SCHMIDLE: Sorry, I should clarify this.

The New Yorker

Future research may clarify this issue.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking for clarification, provide context to help the speaker understand what specifically needs clarifying. For example, "Could you "clarify this" in relation to the previous statement?"

Common error

While "clarify this" is generally acceptable, avoid using it in highly formal writing where a more sophisticated phrase like "elucidate this" or "expound upon this" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clarify this" functions as an imperative request. It directly asks someone to make something more understandable. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English, serving to prompt further explanation or detail.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clarify this" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for requesting further explanation or detail to improve understanding. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a correct and usable expression in English, suitable for various contexts ranging from scientific discussions to news reports. While generally neutral in tone, it may be advisable to use more formal alternatives in highly professional settings. Key alternatives include "elaborate on that" or "explain further". Remember to provide specific context when asking for clarification to ensure the response is targeted and effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Could you elaborate on that?

This alternative focuses on requesting more detailed information about a specific point.

Can you explain that further?

This alternative directly asks for a more in-depth explanation.

Could you be more specific?

This alternative requests a more precise or detailed explanation.

Can you provide more detail?

This option asks for additional information to enhance understanding.

Please provide a clearer explanation

It directly requests a more understandable explanation.

Could you rephrase that?

This suggests rewording something to make it easier to understand.

Could you put it another way?

This alternative asks for the same information to be presented in a different manner.

Can you give an example?

This alternative seeks a practical illustration to aid comprehension.

What do you mean by that?

This alternative directly asks for the speaker's intended meaning.

Please be more explicit

The alternative phrase suggest clarity of the subject matter.

FAQs

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

You can use "clarify this" when you need someone to explain something more clearly. For instance, "Could you "clarify this" point about the budget proposal?" or "I'm not sure I understand; can you "clarify this" for me?"

What are some alternatives to "clarify this"?

Some alternatives include "elaborate on that", "explain that further", or "be more specific" depending on the context. Each offers a slightly different nuance when asking for more information.

Is "clarify this" suitable for formal writing?

While "clarify this" is acceptable in many situations, it might be too informal for highly formal writing. In such cases, consider using more formal alternatives like "elucidate" or "expound".

When should I use "clarify this" versus "explain this"?

"Clarify this" is best when you need something made clearer, while "explain this" is used when you need a more detailed account or reason. "Clarify" focuses on removing ambiguity, while "explain" focuses on providing understanding.