clear yourself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clear yourself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to clarify their thoughts, intentions, or actions, often in a context where misunderstandings may have occurred. Example: "Before we proceed with the discussion, I suggest you take a moment to clear yourself of any doubts or confusion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"You could make a move and clear yourself in my day," Alvarez said.

The New York Times

A Niuean proverb has it that if you keep your bush knife sharp – or stay motivated – you will clear yourself a bigger plantation.

The Guardian

Clear yourself of any guilt and pretty much avoid your boyfriend for a while until things have cooled down and there is not as much awkward tension between the two of you.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

If you have been through clearing yourself and think you can help, please log on and respond – all comments and feedback are welcome.

The Guardian

Do easy meditations daily in the shower to clear your mind, open yourself up to new opportunities and prepare for a simply fantastic day!

WikiHow

Are your values clear to yourself and to others?

Cornell University

It is worth being clear to yourself who you think this is.

The Guardian - Opinion

"You just keep working and you never get it clear to yourself," he added.

The New York Times - Arts

You also want to be clear with yourself about what's happening.

Harvard Business Review

You have to be clear to yourself about what your new role means.

The Guardian

Plan your lesson with an end in mind and be clear to yourself what the students will be learning.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clear yourself" in writing, ensure the context is clear. Specify what one needs to be cleared of, such as doubts, accusations, or misunderstandings. For example, "Clear yourself of any lingering guilt before moving on."

Common error

Avoid using "clear yourself" without specifying what needs to be clarified or removed. Saying "Clear yourself" without further context leaves the reader wondering what the subject needs to be free from.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear yourself" functions as an imperative, urging the listener or reader to take action to remove doubts, guilt, or misunderstandings. It directs the subject to exonerate or clarify their position, as seen in the examples Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "clear yourself" is grammatically sound and functions as an imperative to urge clarification or exoneration. Ludwig shows it appears in neutral to informal contexts like news, wikis, and academia. While not overly frequent, the phrase encourages one to actively remove doubts or accusations, fostering transparency. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is essential to specify what the subject needs to be cleared of to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "explain yourself", "vindicate yourself" and "clarify your position".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarify your position

Focuses on making one's stance or viewpoint more understandable.

explain yourself

Emphasizes providing reasons or justifications for one's actions or behavior.

vindicate yourself

Highlights the act of proving oneself innocent or free from blame.

justify your actions

Similar to 'explain yourself' but often implies a need to defend one's choices.

absolve yourself

Stresses the act of freeing oneself from guilt or responsibility.

make yourself understood

Centers on ensuring that others comprehend your message.

get your point across

Emphasizes effectively communicating your ideas to others.

state your case

Involves presenting your argument or perspective in a formal or persuasive manner.

express your intent

Focuses on communicating your purpose or objective clearly.

articulate your thoughts

Emphasizes expressing your ideas in a clear and coherent manner.

FAQs

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

You can use "clear yourself" to advise someone to remove doubts or confusion, as in, "Before we proceed, take a moment to clear yourself of any misunderstandings."

What's a more formal way to say "clear yourself"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "clarify your position" or "justify your actions", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "clear yourself"?

It's appropriate when you want someone to remove confusion, guilt, or accusations. For example, "You need to clear yourself of these charges before the investigation continues."

Is there a difference between "explain yourself" and "clear yourself"?

"Explain yourself" focuses on providing reasons for actions, while "clear yourself" emphasizes removing blame or misunderstanding. Consider using "explain yourself" when justification is needed, and "vindicate yourself" or absolve yourself when the goal is to prove innocence.