clear up the issue

USAGE SUMMARY

"clear up the issue" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to figure out the resolution to a problem. For example, "We need to have a meeting to clear up the issue we have with our new software system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Perhaps not surprisingly, Sally declined this opportunity to clear up the issue.

The Guardian

The federal government's own surveys do not seem to clear up the issue.

The New York Times

"Just to clear up the issue of the run-out, the TV commentary team are wrong," insists Mark Baker.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr Khanfar said the only way for the UK government to clear up the issue was to release the information.

The Guardian

Ms. Kolkhorst and Senator Thomas D. Williams, Republican of The Woodlands, tried to clear up the issue this session.

The New York Times

BMW said that no further engine damage was caused by the O-ring, and that replacing the oil filter housing should clear up the issue.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"Jean-Claude Juncker and I had a long telephone conversation and cleared up the issue a while ago," she said in an interview published Thursday in the German newspaper Bild.

The New York Times

By John Cassidy July 18, 2013 Years ago, while attending an economics conference, I heard someone — I think it was Richard Freeman, of Harvard, but I couldn't swear to it — respond to a presentation by saying that it hadn't cleared up the issue at hand but that it had improved the quality of our ignorance.

The New Yorker

Years ago, while attending an economics conference, I heard someone—I think it was Richard Freeman, of Harvard, but I couldn't swear to it respond to a presentation by saying that it hadn't cleared up the issue at hand but that it had improved the quality of our ignorance.

The New Yorker

The letter calls on Treasury and the IRS to issue immediate guidance clearing up the issue.

Huffington Post

But he noted that thoroughness was more important than speed in clearing up the issue.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clear up the issue" when you want to indicate a process of resolving a problem or misunderstanding through explanation or action.

Common error

Avoid using "clear up the issue" when referring to physical cleaning or tidying. It's best suited for abstract problems, disagreements, or misunderstandings, not concrete situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "clear up the issue" is as a phrasal verb, where 'clear up' acts as the verb and 'the issue' serves as the direct object. It signifies the action of resolving or clarifying a problem or misunderstanding.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

20%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clear up the issue" is a frequently used and grammatically correct phrasal verb that means to resolve a problem or misunderstanding. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. The phrase appears most commonly in news and media contexts and is suitable for both formal and informal communication. It's useful to "clear up the issue" to clarify situations, prevent confusion, and promote understanding. Related phrases such as "resolve the matter" and "clarify the situation" can be used as alternatives depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resolve the matter

Focuses on bringing a matter to a conclusion.

clarify the situation

Emphasizes making the situation more understandable.

sort out the problem

Suggests organizing and resolving a problem.

settle the dispute

Implies ending a disagreement or conflict.

iron out the details

Highlights working through minor discrepancies.

rectify the situation

Focuses on correcting something that is wrong.

elucidate the point

Emphasizes making a specific point clear.

address the concern

Deals with a specific worry or concern.

explain the confusion

Aims to remove misunderstanding by providing explanations.

put an end to the matter

Suggests a final resolution to avoid further discussion.

FAQs

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

You can use "clear up the issue" when you want to express resolving a problem. For example, "We need to have a meeting to clear up the issue we have with our new software system."

What can I say instead of "clear up the issue"?

You can use alternatives like "resolve the matter", "clarify the situation", or "sort out the problem" depending on the context.

Is it formal or informal to say "clear up the issue"?

The phrase "clear up the issue" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It can be used in business meetings, academic discussions, and casual conversations.

What's the difference between "clear up the issue" and "address the concern"?

"Clear up the issue" implies resolving a misunderstanding or problem, while "address the concern" focuses on dealing with a specific worry or concern that has been raised.