clear up doubts

USAGE SUMMARY

"clear up doubts" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you're trying to provide clarity on a specific subject or issue. For example, "I held the Q&A session to clear up doubts concerning the new company policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

In a boost for the opposition, he said the leadership must clear up doubts over the disputed presidential election and warned of a "crisis".

Independent

Analysts remained skeptical that the tests over all would be rigorous enough to clear up doubts about the resiliency of weaker institutions.

The New York Times

Of course, sixth-century Java may simply have lacked eyewitness chroniclers, but it would be nice to clear up doubts about the point.

The New York Times - Books

He noted that the Brussels agreement came only a week after European regulators compelled banks to detail their exposure to Greek bonds, an event that also helped clear up doubts about where the risk was buried.

The New York Times

The banking supervisors' committee offered only a broad description of how the tests will be conducted, and it remained unclear whether they will be rigorous and detailed enough to clear up doubts about credit-worthiness that have choked interbank lending in Europe.

The New York Times

Analysts had been skeptical that the tests this year were rigorous enough to clear up doubts about the European banking system and to encourage institutions to begin lending to each other again rather than relying on the European Central Bank for funds.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and the president's national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice, have both said that the only way for Iraq to clear up doubt is to lead the inspectors to the weapons stores, and to the scientists who worked on the programs.

The New York Times

Now that Lucent has cleared up doubts over WinStar's ability to raise capital, my colleague Mark Rose, CSFB's telecommunications analyst, recommends the WinStar bonds.

Forbes

That should clear up any doubts about whether Obama is a Christian.

The New Yorker

But Mr. Letterman wanted to clear up any doubts that he had been in on the act the last time.

The New York Times

He wants the German Bundestag to step in with a statute to clear up any doubts or anxieties.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clear up doubts" when you want to convey that you are actively working to eliminate uncertainty or confusion surrounding a particular issue or topic.

Common error

Avoid using "clear up doubts" when the situation calls for a formal investigation or a more rigorous process of verification. In such cases, phrases like "investigate claims" or "verify facts" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear up doubts" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the action of removing or resolving uncertainties. As Ludwig AI states, it aims to provide clarity. The examples show it is used in various contexts from political situations to financial analysis, all with the central purpose of eliminating confusion.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clear up doubts" is a verb phrase used to convey the action of removing or resolving uncertainties. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for written English. While it is more common in news and media, and is also used in scientific contexts, its neutral register makes it versatile. To enhance clarity and precision, consider related phrases such as "resolve uncertainties" or "eliminate ambiguity" depending on the specific context. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the level of formality required by the writing and is suitable for the specific audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resolve uncertainties

Focuses on the act of resolving issues of uncertainty, shifting the emphasis from doubt to the ambiguities themselves.

eliminate ambiguity

Highlights removing any ambiguity, suggesting a more formal and decisive action.

dispel misgivings

Emphasizes allaying fears and anxieties rather than simply clarifying facts.

address concerns

Broader than doubts, it encompasses addressing worries and apprehensions, indicating a more comprehensive approach.

clarify the situation

Focuses on making the overall situation clearer rather than specifically targeting doubts.

set minds at ease

Implies a calming effect by reducing anxiety and uncertainty, rather than a strict clarification.

iron out questions

Suggests smoothing out the issues and questions.

answer objections

Targets specific objections or counterarguments, suggesting a more direct and confrontational approach.

rectify misunderstandings

Corrects any past misunderstandings.

confirm suspicions

Focuses on validating or verifying suspicions, in contrast to resolving general doubts.

FAQs

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

You can use "clear up doubts" to indicate the resolution of uncertainties. For example, "The presentation aimed to "clear up doubts" regarding the project's feasibility".

What's a formal alternative to "clear up doubts"?

In formal contexts, you might prefer "resolve uncertainties" or "eliminate ambiguities" over "clear up doubts" to maintain a professional tone.

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

You can use alternatives like "resolve uncertainties", "dispel misgivings", or "address concerns" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "clear up doubts" in academic writing?

While acceptable, "clear up doubts" might be considered less formal than alternatives like "resolve uncertainties" or "eliminate ambiguity" in academic writing. Consider the specific tone and style guidelines of your publication.