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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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clarify this problematic

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clarify this problematic" is not correct in standard written English.
It is unclear and awkwardly phrased; a more precise expression would be needed to convey the intended meaning. Example: "Can you clarify this problematic issue we are facing?"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The definition of clinical parameters predicting survival for ECMO-bridged patients would certainly help clarify this problematic question [ 22, 45].

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The aim of this paper is to clarify the problematic issues of the procurement of service bundles and their value potential for business customers.

Can you clarify this?

News & Media

The New York Times

Perhaps he can clarify this.

News & Media

The Economist

"We shall clarify this later," he said.

News & Media

The New York Times

I wish he'd clarify this statement.

News & Media

The Economist

Perhaps Obama can clarify this picture.

News & Media

The New York Times

How did he later clarify this declaration?

News & Media

The New Yorker

Financing helps clarify this.

News & Media

TechCrunch

Let us clarify this.

To clarify, this is huge.

News & Media

Huffington Post
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When seeking clarification, prioritize clear and grammatically correct phrasing. Instead of using the awkward phrase "clarify this problematic", opt for more direct alternatives like "clarify this issue" or "explain this problem".

Common error

Avoid combining "clarify" with "problematic" directly, as it creates an unnatural phrasing. Instead, separate the request for clarification from the description of the issue as problematic. For example, instead of "clarify this problematic", try "clarify this issue, which is problematic because..."

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clarify this problematic" attempts to function as a request for explanation, but it's grammatically flawed. The intended function is to seek understanding regarding something considered troublesome, as demonstrated by the single example Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "clarify this problematic" is grammatically incorrect and rarely used. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that while the intent is to seek clarification on a troublesome issue, better phrasing options exist. Grammatically sound alternatives such as ""clarify this issue"" or ""explain this problem"" are recommended to ensure clarity and correctness. While there are some examples, prioritize grammatical accuracy in your writing.

FAQs

What's a better way to say "clarify this problematic"?

Instead of "clarify this problematic", use clearer phrases such as "clarify this issue", "explain this problem", or "address this concern" depending on the context.

How can I use "problematic" correctly in a sentence?

Use "problematic" to describe a noun. For example, "This situation is problematic." Then, separately ask for clarification on the situation: "Can you "clarify this situation"?"

Is "clarify this problematic" grammatically correct?

No, "clarify this problematic" is not grammatically correct. The word "problematic" is an adjective and needs to describe a noun, not modify the verb "clarify". It's more appropriate to say ""clarify this issue"".

What does it mean to ask someone to clarify something?

Asking someone to clarify something means you want them to provide more detail or explanation to make something easier to understand. In the case of something "problematic", it means understanding why it's causing difficulties.

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Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: