clear up

USAGE SUMMARY

"clear up" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it in situations when you want to indicate that something is becoming more organized or easier to understand. For example, "The lecturer's explanation really helped to clear up the confusion I was having."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

& clear up this mystery.

The New Yorker

To clear up the confusion.

The New York Times - Sports

We wanted to clear up any confusion.

The New York Times

We will clear up this whole mess.

The New Yorker

Discuss them and clear up any misunderstandings.

The New York Times

Let me clear up a few misconceptions.

The New York Times

They don't clear up their litter.

The New Yorker

Symptoms often clear up within a week.

Harvard University

So we clear up that concept.

Cornell University

Can I clear up a lingering rumour?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Clear-up begins as people rehoused.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clear up" when you want to describe the process of making something more understandable or resolving a confusing situation. For instance, "The article helped to "clear up" any misconceptions about the topic."

Common error

Avoid using "clear up" solely for emphasizing simplicity without an initial state of confusion or disarray. Saying "Let's "clear up" the topic by stating the obvious" is less effective than "Let's simplify the topic by stating the obvious."

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "clear up" primarily functions to describe the act of making something understandable, resolving a problem, or improving a situation. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clear up" is a versatile phrasal verb that is grammatically correct and frequently used to convey clarification, resolution, or improvement. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is widely recognized and acceptable in English. It is commonly found in news articles, academic papers, and general writing, making it suitable for a variety of contexts. While "clear up" is appropriate for both formal and informal settings, be mindful of the specific context to ensure its most effective use. Alternatives include "clarify", "resolve", and "sort out", offering nuanced options for expressing similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarify

This alternative focuses on making something easier to understand.

straighten out

This alternative indicates correcting or resolving something.

resolve

This implies solving a problem or dispute.

elucidate

A more formal way of saying clarify.

rectify

This means to correct something that is wrong.

sort out

This suggests organizing or tidying something.

shed light on

This alternative emphasizes making something easier to understand by providing new information.

explain

This focuses on providing information to increase understanding.

mop up

This implies dealing with the aftermath of something messy.

tidy

This relates to cleaning and organizing a physical space.

FAQs

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

You can use "clear up" to describe making something understandable, like, "The teacher helped to "clear up" the confusing concept." It can also refer to resolving a problem or cleaning a mess, such as, "We need to "clear up" this misunderstanding right away."

What can I say instead of "clear up"?

Alternatives to "clear up" include "clarify", "resolve", or "sort out", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "clear up" or "clear it up"?

Both "clear up" and "clear it up" are grammatically correct. "Clear it up" is used when you're referring to a specific object or situation. For example, "Can you "clear it up" for me?" "Clear up" is more general, like, "Let's "clear up" any confusion."

What's the difference between "clear up" and "tidy up"?

"Clear up" often implies resolving confusion or misunderstandings, while "tidy up" generally refers to cleaning and organizing a physical space. You might "clear up" a misunderstanding and "tidy up" a room.