clearing things up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clearing things up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation in which information or misunderstandings are being clarified and resolved. For example, "The conference call was a beneficial exercise for clearing things up and coming to an agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

ROB HOWLEY - 7 One or two errors, but did well to keep clearing things up under increasing pressure.

The Guardian - Sport

While he was clearing things up on the purpose of being a legislator, he also cleared up any doubt about whether he is going to push for an assault weapons ban as part of new control legislation: "Is it something that can pass the Senate?

The New York Times

So far from today's Ashcroft confession clearing things up, new questions have to be asked about democratic financing of politics and why the shadow foreign secretary and vice-chairman of the Conservative party met with officials of a non-democracy while its opponents rot in prison.

The Guardian - Opinion

Theranos says it looks forward to clearing things up for these lawmakers.

TechCrunch

Cesar over at Zune Insider is clearing things up regarding the piracy countermeasures and he's saying MS has no plans to filter content on the Zune.

TechCrunch

Just clearing things up, I have nothing against any specific actress/actor or tv show.. Nor do I think there's anything wrong with girls.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Well, that clears things up!

The New Yorker

"Probably trying to clear things up from their standpoint.

The Guardian - Sport

(The company just put out a really strange advertisement that fails to clear things up).

The Guardian

You can clear things up with him when you have your audience tomorrow.

The New Yorker

In an effort to clear things up, here are answers to some common concerns.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to emphasize making something easier to understand in a complicated situation, use "clearing things up".

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid overusing "clearing things up" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated alternatives like "clarifying" or "elucidating" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clearing things up" functions as a phrasal verb, acting as a concise way to express the action of clarifying a situation, resolving confusion, or providing needed explanations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English and is very common.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

19%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "clearing things up" is a commonly used and grammatically sound way to express the action of resolving confusion or providing clarification. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s suitable for various contexts, though it’s more prevalent in news and media, as well as informal settings, and should be used judiciously in highly formal or academic writing. The related phrases and writing guidance offer further insights into its effective use and potential alternatives. Given its widespread use across reputable sources, mastering its usage can greatly improve clarity in both writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Making things clear

Emphasizes achieving understanding and transparency.

Clarifying matters

Focuses on making things easier to understand.

Setting the record straight

Implies correcting misinformation or inaccuracies.

Explaining the situation

Highlights providing a detailed account of events.

Simplifying the explanation

Highlights making the information easier to grasp.

Resolving ambiguities

Addresses eliminating uncertainties or vague areas.

Sorting things out

Focuses on organizing and resolving a complex situation.

Shedding light on

Suggests revealing previously unknown information.

Elucidating the details

Emphasizes providing comprehensive and detailed information.

Defining the parameters

Focuses on establishing clear boundaries or limits.

FAQs

How can I use "clearing things up" in a sentence?

You can use "clearing things up" to describe the action of making something clearer or resolving confusion. For instance, "The meeting helped in "making things clear" after the misunderstanding."

What's a more formal way to say "clearing things up"?

For more formal situations, consider using phrases like "clarifying the situation", "elucidating the details", or "resolving ambiguities".

What is the difference between "clearing things up" and "cleaning things up"?

"Clearing things up" refers to resolving confusion or misunderstandings, while "cleaning things up" refers to physically tidying or removing mess. They have entirely different meanings and contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "clearing things up" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to convey the idea of removing confusion or ambiguity. It fits well in both casual and professional communications where you need to "set the record straight" or "explain the situation".