clarifying answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clarifying answer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an answer that provides clarity or explanation on a particular topic or question. Example: "In response to your query, I will provide a clarifying answer to ensure you fully understand the concept."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Several times during the discussions, explanations were sought to understand symptoms and conditions where prior health care visits had failed to give clarifying answers, and this led to unfounded anxiety.

BMC Women's Health

The interviewer asked further specific questions to clarify answers and focus the subject on the question that was asked.

BMC Health Services Research

Probes were used to clarify answers and obtain detailed information about particular topics raised in a FGD.

Global Health Action

After the experts had filled in the questionnaire individually, a joint meeting was organized to discuss and clarify answers and to reach consensus.

BMC Health Services Research

With regard to sensitive sexual activities, interviewers made an effort to clarify answers (e.g., the number of sexual partners) and only the confirmed number was used in the analysis.

AIDS and Behavior

Unless the immediate area around their house was being discussed it was often difficult to clarify answers about, for example, how they interacted with places within one mile compared to further distances away.

Health and Place

Alex Salmond Photograph: Murdo MacLeod 10.31am BST Ed Miliband has now been clarifying his answer on his grocery spending.

The Guardian

She glances sideways at her teammate, Madison Bozich, before clarifying her answer.

Johns Hopkins University

Clarifying the answer to this question would be difficult to prove conclusively without a clinical trial which would obviously be prohibited by ethical issues.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

This study is limited by the methodology of the SAND substudies of the BEACH programme, being constrained by the number of questions that could be asked and by the time that the GP could devote to clarifying the answers within the context of the consultation.

BMJ Open

Occasionally his wife clarified an answer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "clarifying answer", ensure the answer genuinely enhances understanding and resolves ambiguity. Avoid using it as a mere preface to a poorly explained response.

Common error

Avoid starting every explanation with "Here's a clarifying answer". This can sound repetitive and insincere. Instead, focus on making the answer inherently clear without needing the label.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clarifying answer" functions as a noun phrase that describes the type of response being given. It highlights the intent and quality of the answer, promising to make something clearer.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "clarifying answer" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a response that aims to provide clarity or additional explanation. While Ludwig AI found it grammatically correct, there were no direct examples in its database. Alternatives such as "explanatory answer" or "elucidating response" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. When employing this phrase, ensure that the subsequent explanation genuinely enhances understanding and avoids redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explanatory answer

Replaces "clarifying" with a direct synonym emphasizing the explanation aspect.

elucidating response

Uses a more formal term, "elucidating", to indicate a response that makes something clear.

illuminating explanation

Shifts the focus to the explanation itself, emphasizing its enlightening nature.

detailed explanation

Highlights the level of detail provided in the explanation.

in-depth response

Similar to "detailed explanation", but applied to the response itself.

further explanation

Indicates that additional explanation is being provided to enhance understanding.

more detailed answer

Directly suggests a higher level of detail in the answer.

an answer to clarify

Rephrases the concept with a focus on the purpose of the answer.

a response for clarification

Similar to "an answer to clarify", but using "response" instead of "answer".

response providing clarity

Focuses on the action of providing clarity through the response.

FAQs

How can I use "clarifying answer" in a sentence?

You can use "clarifying answer" when introducing an explanation meant to resolve confusion or provide more detail. For example, "In response to your query, I will provide a clarifying answer to ensure you fully understand the concept."

What's an alternative to "clarifying answer"?

Alternatives include "explanatory answer", "elucidating response", or "illuminating explanation" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "clarifying answer"?

While not strictly redundant, using "clarifying answer" can sometimes be unnecessary if the answer is inherently clear. Use it judiciously to emphasize that the following explanation is meant to provide specific clarity.

When should I avoid using "clarifying answer"?

Avoid using "clarifying answer" when the context already implies that an explanation is intended to clarify. Also, refrain from using it if the following explanation is not, in fact, clarifying.