could you clarify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'could you clarify' is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used when you are asking someone to explain something further or in more detail. For example: "I'm not sure I understand, could you clarify what you mean?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Um, could you clarify that please?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I mean, could you clarify a little bit?

Cornell University

Owen - could you clarify your statements on Islamic State?

The Guardian

4. Could you clarify Mr. Goldman's position with the magazine?

The New York Times

"Could you clarify?" he began, interrupting the state's lawyer, Juliet L. Clark.

The New York Times

"Could you clarify or give me some direction as to what to say?" a stunned McGuire asked.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Could you please clarify under which of the Rules of Procedure was the question raised and an on-the-spot vote taken to withdraw an agenda item we were due to debate this afternoon?

EU Parlament

Could you please clarify the various formats for digital books?

The Guardian - Tech

Could you please clarify the origin and nature of your allele?

eLife

Could you please clarify how many lines were tested, and what lines were used for the experiments?

eLife

For example, you could clarify what you learned in shotgunning by asking, "Now, Billy, he's your grandfather?" Ask questions in such a way so that they can be perceived as statements.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could you clarify", be specific about what aspect needs clarification. This helps the speaker provide a focused and helpful response.

Common error

Avoid simply saying "could you clarify" without indicating which part of the previous statement is unclear. Instead, specify the element you need help understanding for a more efficient discussion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could you clarify" functions as an interrogative request, specifically seeking further explanation or a more detailed account of something previously mentioned. Ludwig provides numerous examples in various contexts where this phrase is used to prompt someone to elaborate on a point.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could you clarify" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for requesting further explanation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples across diverse fields like News & Media, Science, and Academia. While versatile, it is best employed with a specific focus on what requires clarification, ensuring effective communication. Consider alternatives like "could you elaborate" for a more formal tone, or "can you explain further" for a slightly less formal approach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Would you mind clarifying?

Adds a polite request using "would you mind".

Could you elaborate?

More formal and concise alternative using "elaborate".

Can you explain further?

Uses "can" instead of "could", making it slightly less formal.

Can you rephrase that?

Asks for the statement to be said in a different way.

Could you provide more detail?

Focuses on requesting additional details specifically.

Can you go into more detail?

Similar to "provide more detail", but uses the verb "go".

Could you be more specific?

Asks for a more precise explanation.

What do you mean by that?

More direct and informal way of asking for clarification.

What are you trying to say?

Focuses on understanding the underlying message.

Could you give an example?

Requests a specific instance to aid understanding.

FAQs

How do I use "could you clarify" in a sentence?

Use "could you clarify" when you need someone to provide a clearer or more detailed explanation. For instance, "I'm not sure I understand your point; "could you clarify" what you mean by that?".

What is a more formal way to ask for clarification?

While "could you clarify" is generally polite, you could use phrases like "could you elaborate?" or "would you mind clarifying?" for a slightly more formal tone.

Is "can you clarify" the same as "could you clarify"?

"Can you clarify" is acceptable, but ""could you clarify"" is generally considered more polite as it implies a greater degree of deference.

What can I say instead of "could you clarify" when I need more details?

Depending on the context, you might ask, "could you provide more detail?", "can you go into more detail?", or "could you be more specific?".