clarifying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clarifying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to make something clearer or to provide additional information to eliminate confusion. Example: "I appreciate your feedback, but I need to spend some time clarifying my position on this matter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"With regards to administration of the centre, improvements have been made through clarifying roles and responsibilities in safety and security management across service providers and local authorities, improved physical security measures and site control, regular safety and security risk assessments, enhanced information sharing practices, and staff training".

The Guardian

By clarifying European legislation, the judgment could have significant consequences for householders in the UK who use CCTV and keep or try to use the images, according to a legal expert.

The Guardian

(Update: Clinton's team has offered a vague followup on this, stating the obvious – she talked to foreign officials in person, on the phone and "through correspondence", while clarifying only that "[t]he review of all of her emails revealed only one email with a foreign [UK] official". The followup statement from her office also said "there is no evidence there was ever a breach").

The Guardian

He hopes to achieve three things: strip out unnecessary layers in the Trust; clarify what the Trust does, including possibly doing more in public; and clarifying the role of the non-executive directors.

The Guardian

Bubb's recommendations place the onus on NHS England, central and local government to act on proposals such as a rights charter for people with learning disabilities and their families – clarifying existing rights and offering support to access these.

The Guardian

Clarifying Sturgeon's remarks, the deputy first minister of Scotland, John Swinney, said: "What the first minister was making the point about is that there is a need for a government of the United Kingdom to be representative of the whole of the United Kingdom.

The Guardian

His great love of language shone through in the clarity of his diction and the way he could energise the text, thereby clarifying its meaning.

The Guardian - Music

Many have called for a constitutional convention as a means of achieving this new British settlement, though without clarifying the idea properly.

The Guardian - Opinion

Luckily for those who, like me, have lost the basic will to live by this point, there are several pages clarifying how this can be achieved.

The Guardian

The coaches of the remaining teams in the NCAA Tournament Final Four have issued a joint statement clarifying their position on Indiana's controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

The Guardian - Sport

Although many of the claims in the Conservative dossier began to unravel under scrutiny, one effect has been to force Labour into clarifying the fact it cannot commit to reversing many cuts or the public sector pay freeze in 2015-16, whasever has been said by shadow ministers.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, follow "clarifying" with a specific object or explanation to avoid ambiguity. For example, "clarifying the instructions" is more effective than simply "clarifying".

Common error

Avoid using "clarifying" without specifying what you are clarifying. This can leave the reader unsure of what you are referring to. Always provide a direct object or further explanation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "clarifying" is as a present participle or gerund, often functioning as part of a verb phrase to describe an ongoing action of making something clearer. This usage aligns with the real-world examples provided by Ludwig, where it appears in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clarifying" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term, as affirmed by Ludwig. It serves to denote the action of making something more understandable and is applicable across various contexts, from formal business communications to news reports. While versatile, it is important to use it with a specific object or explanation to avoid ambiguity. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its wide applicability, making it a valuable term in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elucidating

Emphasizes making something clear and easy to understand, often by providing additional information or explanation.

explaining

Focuses on providing reasons or justifications to make something understandable.

illuminating

Suggests shedding light on a topic to make it more comprehensible.

defining

Highlights the act of establishing a clear meaning or scope.

specifying

Implies providing detailed information to remove ambiguity.

interpreting

Focuses on explaining the meaning of something, especially when it is complex or ambiguous.

simplifying

Emphasizes making something less complex and easier to understand.

expounding

Suggests explaining something in great detail.

resolving

Focuses on removing confusion or uncertainty by providing a clear solution or answer.

unpacking

Implies breaking down a complex idea into simpler components for better understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "clarifying" in a sentence?

You can use "clarifying" to indicate the action of making something clearer or easier to understand. For example, "The speaker spent time clarifying the complex concepts" or "She was clarifying her earlier statement to avoid confusion".

What are some alternatives to "clarifying"?

Some alternatives to "clarifying" include "elucidating", "explaining", or "defining", depending on the specific context in which you are using the word.

Is it better to say "clarifying" or "making clear"?

Both "clarifying" and "making clear" are correct, but "clarifying" is often more concise. "Making clear" might be preferred when you want to emphasize the process, while "clarifying" focuses on the result.

What's the difference between "clarifying" and "specifying"?

"Clarifying" involves making something easier to understand, while "specifying" involves providing detailed and precise information. Clarifying aims to remove ambiguity, while specifying aims to provide exact details.