clear up this question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clear up this question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to resolve confusion or uncertainty regarding a specific question or topic. Example: "Before we proceed, let's take a moment to clear up this question about the project's timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Jeremy Paxman: We will look at some of the other areas shortly, but to clear up this question of Railtrack, clearly the railways in this country are in a terrible state, you would obviously accept that.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

One way to clear up this uncertainty, and settle the question of Russia's culpability, would be for the Obama Administration to declassify what it knows not just about the fact that hacking took place but why, and with what aims.

The New Yorker

For this, something should be said to clear up the question.

Wikipedia

"The director just wants to clear up the question of bonuses owed to the team after the title win".

The Guardian - Sport

I returned to Harrah's the next day to try to clear up the question of martial law and who was in charge of New Orleans.

The New Yorker

But the official said he could not definitively clear up the question of Mr. Alomari's identity and that Saudi authorities were investigating whether identity theft might have been involved.

The New York Times

By 1910, Mr. Esseks said, the land had been partitioned into so many pieces over the years that it was decided to "hold a judicial sale to clear up the question of title to the lands under water".

The New York Times

The first task of any American investigation would be to clear up the question of Nukhaev's culpability.

Forbes

On the other hand, in order to clear up the question on the explicit form of energy E({a}), as well as on the explicit form of energy E cond({a}) (without necessity to find out the explicit forms of the wave functions a n α  = A α  exp(i kR 0 n)), we will utilise the following considerations.

Nanoscale Research Letters

He found also no better results recorded in the literature on the joints, and for that reason undertook experiments in the endeavor to clear up the question.

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research

Much of the uncertainty stems from the fact that Congress is not expected to do anything to clear up the questions, despite its power to do so.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clear up this question" when you want to directly address and resolve a specific point of confusion or uncertainty. Make sure the context clearly identifies the question you are clarifying.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid using "clear up this question" in overly casual settings. Alternatives like "explain this" or "figure this out" might be more appropriate in informal conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear up this question" functions as a directive, aiming to prompt clarification or resolution of a specific inquiry. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "clear up this question" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to request clarification on a specific issue. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While suitable for various contexts, it is most frequently found in news and media and scientific publications. When using this phrase, ensure that the question you are referencing is clear to your audience. Alternatives like "clarify this question" or "resolve this question" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarify this question

Focuses more directly on making the question easier to understand.

resolve this question

Emphasizes finding an answer or solution to the question.

answer this question definitively

Highlights the aim of providing a final, conclusive answer.

shed light on this question

Suggests providing more information or insight to help understanding.

address this question directly

Focuses on tackling the question head-on without evasion.

elucidate this question

Implies making the question more clear and comprehensible through detailed explanation.

explain this question thoroughly

Emphasizes providing a complete and detailed explanation of the question.

iron out this question

Suggests resolving any difficulties or disagreements related to the question.

get to the bottom of this question

Focuses on uncovering the fundamental truth or cause related to the question.

settle this question once and for all

Highlights the desire to resolve the question permanently and avoid future discussion.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "clear up this question" for a formal setting?

In a formal context, you can use alternatives such as "clarify this question" or "resolve this question".

What does it mean to "clear up this question"?

To "clear up this question" means to eliminate any confusion or ambiguity surrounding a particular issue or query by providing a clear explanation or solution.

Is there a difference between "clear up this question" and "address this question"?

While both phrases involve dealing with a question, "clear up this question" implies resolving confusion, whereas "address this question" simply means to discuss or consider it.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "clear up this question"?

It's appropriate when there is an existing question that needs clarification or a misunderstanding that needs to be resolved. For example, "Before we proceed, let's clear up this question about the budget allocation".