clarifying on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clarifying on" is not grammatically correct in written English.
To clarify something, the verb "to clarify" can be used, and if a noun phrase is necessary, the phrase "clarifying [noun]" should be used. For example, "I'm clarifying my position on the matter" or "the judge is clarifying the law."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

However, Victoria Robertson, a lawyer at Needle Partnership who acted for sacked staff at the tribunal, said: "The law needs clarifying on this matter.

The Guardian - Business

Start by clarifying on paper what you want and really need in order to be happy and to feel as though you are living your life on purpose.

Huffington Post

And what the Assembly has proposed would only add confusion to a situation that the PUC and ride-sharing companies are clarifying on their own.

Los Angeles Times

(Metzger has since walked back the tone of his initial comments, clarifying on Facebook: "None of my venom is for any victims of anything. I wouldn't blame a victim for ANYTHING").

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Let me clarify one point on that.

Cornell University

Moore clarified on Tuesday that one individual had reportedly been stabbed, but could not identify an attacker.

The Washington Post

A rumor that no one could clarify on account of the spotty internet on board.

Vice

"Mark that as one score against me, I should've said al Qaeda terrorists," Hunter clarified on the show.

Huffington Post

This footnote was clarified on 22 February 2016.

The Guardian - Opinion

Thirteen patients were clarified on molecular level (46.4%).

Mutation Research-Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis

There are some points that I would like to clarify on your Wal-Mart article.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "clarifying on". Instead, use the verb "clarify" directly or rephrase to use "clarifying [noun]".

Common error

A common mistake is to follow "clarify" with the preposition "on" when it's unnecessary. Always check if the preposition adds value or if it can be omitted for a cleaner, more grammatically sound sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clarifying on" functions as a prepositional phrase, attempting to connect the act of clarifying with a specific topic. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is generally considered grammatically incorrect, suggesting that the preposition is unnecessary and disrupts standard usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Academia

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "clarifying on" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in written English. Ludwig AI identifies it as a non-standard construction. While it appears in some contexts, especially in News & Media and Science, it's best to avoid it in formal writing. Instead, use "clarifying" directly or rephrase the sentence to maintain grammatical accuracy. As demonstrated, using alternatives like "clarifying", "providing clarification on", or "elaborating on" can provide clearer and more effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarifying

Omits the preposition; focuses on the act of clarification itself.

providing clarification on

More formal and emphasizes the act of offering an explanation.

elaborating on

Suggests giving more detail, rather than just making something clearer.

shedding light on

More idiomatic, implying the removal of confusion or obscurity.

expounding on

Implies a more thorough and detailed explanation.

illuminating

A more vivid way to say clarifying, suggesting a deeper understanding.

expanding on

Suggests adding more information or detail.

giving insights into

Focuses on providing a deeper understanding or perspective.

unpacking

Informal way to suggest clarifying a complex issue.

defining

Focuses on giving clear definitions of specific terms or concepts.

FAQs

How can I use the verb "clarify" correctly?

Use "clarify" followed directly by what you are making clearer. For example, "I need to clarify my position." You can also use alternatives like "explain" or "elucidate".

What's a more formal way to say "clarifying"?

More formal alternatives include "elucidating", "expounding", or providing a "detailed explanation".

Is "clarifying on" ever correct?

Generally, "clarifying on" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use just "clarifying" or rephrase the sentence to use "clarify" correctly. The AI identifies it as an incorrect usage.

Which prepositions can I use with "clarify"?

While "clarify" doesn't typically require a preposition, you might use "clarify with" when indicating what you're using to clarify something. For example, "I will clarify with an example."