clarify why

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clarify why" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to explain or make something clear to someone. For example: "Can you clarify why the project was cancelled?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hence Blitzer's need to clarify why she wasn't on the air.

The Guardian - Opinion

She did not clarify why LinkedIn transmits calendar information to its servers.

The New York Times

This article has been amended to clarify why Ulbricht's funds have apparently remained untouched.

The Guardian - Tech

Earlier, Pruitt had to clarify why he used personal email for state business.

The Washington Post

This post was updated to clarify why the U.S. imposed sanctions on Russian oligarchs last month.

The New Yorker

Still, he tried to clarify why some of Trump's moves could be seriously destabilizing.

The Washington Post

Thermodynamic analysis and optical diagnostics are used here to clarify why swirl improves the combustion repeatability from cycle to cycle.

Combustion and Flame

Microstructures of the as-atomized powders were examined to clarify why the powders exhibit the multiple martensitic transformations.

Acta Materialia

Further studies are needed to clarify why adult patients with cystic fibrosis had little improvement in survival rates.

The Journal of Pediatrics

Reason helps to clarify why that's the case, but the principle itself is somehow prior to reason.

The Guardian - Books

He was seeking to clarify why he had earlier described Ukip as the "best of a bad bunch".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clarify why", ensure that the context provides enough information for the reader to understand what needs clarification. It's often followed by a question or a statement of something that is unclear.

Common error

Don't use "clarify why" without a clear antecedent. Make sure it's obvious what you're asking to be clarified. For instance, instead of just stating "Can you clarify why?", provide context: "Can you clarify why the budget was cut?".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clarify why" functions as a purpose connector, typically used to introduce a request for explanation or justification. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is used when something is unclear and needs further explanation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clarify why" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to request or provide explanations. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase aims to make something clear to someone. It is frequently used in news, scientific, and academic contexts. For best practice, ensure the context is clear and that the object needing clarification is easily identifiable. Common errors include using the phrase in vague situations without properly setting the context for the request. Remember that "clarify why" is a versatile phrase suitable for many contexts, and there are several alternative phrases, such as "explain the reason why" or "elucidate the reasons for", that can be used to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explain the reason why

Replaces "clarify" with a more direct synonym and adds "the reason".

give an account of why

Offers a narrative explanation of the reasons.

elucidate the reasons for

Uses more formal vocabulary to express the need for explanation.

detail the causes of

Focuses specifically on the causal factors involved.

shed light on the reasons

Suggests uncovering or revealing reasons that were previously obscure.

spell out the rationale behind

Emphasizes making the underlying reasoning very clear and explicit.

explicate the motivation for

Focuses on the driving forces or intentions behind an action or decision.

provide a justification for

Shifts the focus to offering a defensive explanation or defense of a decision.

break down the explanation of

Suggests a detailed and simplified explanation.

demystify the logic of

Aims to remove confusion by revealing the understandable reasons.

FAQs

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

You can use "clarify why" to request an explanation or justification. For example, "Could you "clarify why" this decision was made?" or "The article was updated to "clarify why" the sanctions were imposed."

What is a more formal way to say "clarify why"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "elucidate the reasons for", "expound on the rationale for", or "provide a detailed account of why".

Is it always necessary to follow "clarify why" with a direct question?

While often followed by a direct question, "clarify why" can also introduce a clause explaining the reason is needed. For example, "The changes aim to "clarify why" the initial approach was unsuccessful."

What's the difference between "explain why" and ""clarify why""?

"Explain why" generally seeks a complete account of the reasons, whereas ""clarify why"" often focuses on making specific aspects or details clearer.