clear this up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clear this up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to resolve confusion or clarify a misunderstanding. Example: "I need to clear this up before we proceed with the project to ensure everyone is on the same page."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Perhaps Prof. Plantinga can clear this up for me.

Yale University

You need to clear this up with your staff".

The New York Times

To clear this up: Joss Stone is not American.

The Guardian - Music

"Let me just clear this up," he told her. "Drew designed that dress".

The New York Times

I think that, frankly, I'm the best person to clear this up".For them to pay.

The Economist

We'll try and get hold of him to clear this up and keep you posted.

Independent

"If they want to clear this up, they can open up their books".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"We look forward to clearing this up".

The New York Times

Thanks to Billboard's Glenn Peoples for clearing this up.].

TechCrunch

I cleared this up with an editor a month or so ago.

TechCrunch

Hamilton wasn't a great help in clearing this up either.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clear this up", be direct and concise to avoid further confusion. Provide accurate and relevant details to address the issue effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "clear this up" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "elucidate" or "clarify" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear this up" functions as a phrasal verb used to indicate the action of making something clearer or resolving a misunderstanding. Ludwig provides many examples where the phrase is employed to introduce an explanation or correction, which aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

12%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "clear this up" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the act of resolving confusion or providing clarification. Ludwig confirms that it is widely used across various contexts, especially in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, it may be best to avoid using "clear this up" in more formal or academic settings, opting instead for alternatives like ""clarify this"" or "elucidate this". Ludwig provides many examples that highlight its versatility and appropriateness in everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarify this

Focuses on making something easier to understand by providing more detail or explanation.

resolve this

Emphasizes finding a solution to a problem or dispute.

sort this out

Implies organizing or dealing with a confusing or problematic situation.

explain this

Highlights the act of making something understandable through detailed information.

rectify this

Suggests correcting something that is wrong or unjust.

straighten this out

Similar to 'sort out', but may also imply correcting a misrepresentation.

shed light on this

Emphasizes revealing or clarifying something that was previously obscure or misunderstood.

elucidate this

A more formal way of saying 'explain this', often used in academic or legal contexts.

iron out the details

Focuses on resolving minor discrepancies or issues to finalize something.

set the record straight

Highlights correcting misinformation or inaccuracies.

FAQs

What does "clear this up" mean?

"Clear this up" means to resolve confusion, explain something to make it understandable, or rectify a misunderstanding.

How can I use "clear this up" in a sentence?

You can use "clear this up" when you want to provide clarification. For example, "I need to "clarify this" before we proceed with the project to ensure everyone is on the same page."

What can I say instead of "clear this up"?

You can use alternatives like ""clarify this"", "resolve this", or "explain this" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "clear this up"?

"Clear this up" is appropriate in most informal and neutral contexts, such as discussions with colleagues, news articles, or general explanations. However, it should be avoided in highly formal or academic writing in favor of more sophisticated alternatives like "elucidate this".