could you please clarify

USAGE SUMMARY

"Could you please clarify" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you could use it in an email to a colleague who gave you an unclear explanation: "I'm sorry, but I don't understand your instructions. Could you please clarify?".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

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

Thanks for the feedback on our ms. Could you please clarify what you mean in point #1, regarding which data you think we should interpret more conservatively?

F1000Research

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

— Danny Hakim Can you please clarify who has jurisdiction to ultimately allow or ban fracking?

The New York Times

Can you please clarify the leading theories?

Forbes

Could you also please clarify if there is a co-IP of PRC2 and SCML2A?

eLife

Could you also please clarify if there is a co-IP of PRC2 and SCML2A? 3) Since SCML2 associates with the PRC1 complex, then the genome-wide distribution of the peaks of both proteins should largely overlap.

eLife

We would appreciate if you could please clarify this point in your article".

Huffington Post

In view of this, could the authors please clarify why they are saying that accounting for bright-dark asymmetry in their model improves things?

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking for clarification, be specific about what part of the information is unclear to ensure a targeted and helpful response.

Common error

Avoid using "Could you please clarify" repeatedly in the same conversation or document. Instead, vary your phrasing to maintain reader engagement and show attentiveness to the details already provided.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Could you please clarify" functions as a polite imperative, used to request further explanation or detail. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in academic, scientific, and general contexts, indicating its versatility and appropriateness in various communicative situations. It signals a need for clearer understanding.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Could you please clarify" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to politely request further explanation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While common in science and news media, it maintains a neutral to formal register suitable for various professional contexts. Related phrases such as "could you elaborate on that" offer alternative ways to seek clarification, and it's essential to use the phrase judiciously to avoid redundancy. Remember to be specific when asking for clarification to ensure a targeted and helpful response.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Can you clarify what you mean?

This alternative directly asks for clarification of the speaker's meaning, adding directness.

Could you elaborate on that?

This alternative uses "elaborate" to mean provide more detail, offering a slightly more formal tone.

Can you provide more details?

This phrase uses "provide more details" to ask for further information, focusing on the specifics.

Could you explain that in more detail?

This option specifies that an explanation is desired, highlighting the need for a clearer understanding.

Would you mind clarifying that?

This is a slightly more indirect and polite way to ask for clarification, using "would you mind".

Could you be more specific?

This option requests more specific information, focusing on narrowing down the topic.

Please, explain further.

This is a more concise and direct request for further explanation, removing some of the politeness.

Can you give us more context?

This phrase emphasizes the need for additional background information to understand the topic.

I'm sorry, I don't understand. Can you explain?

This expresses confusion and requests explanation, adding explicit acknowledgment of misunderstanding.

What do you mean by that?

This directly asks for the meaning behind a statement, focusing on understanding intent.

FAQs

How can I use "Could you please clarify" in a sentence?

Use "Could you please clarify" when you need someone to provide a clearer or more detailed explanation. For example, "Could you please clarify your position on the matter?" or "Could you please clarify the instructions for this task?"

What can I say instead of "Could you please clarify"?

You can use alternatives like "could you elaborate on that", "can you provide more details", or "can you clarify what you mean" depending on the context.

Is it impolite to use "Could you please clarify"?

No, "Could you please clarify" is generally considered a polite and professional way to ask for more information or a clearer explanation. The inclusion of "please" adds a level of courtesy.

What's the difference between "Could you please clarify" and "Can you clarify"?

While both phrases are requests for clarification, "Could you please clarify" is considered more polite and formal than "Can you clarify". The addition of "please" and using "could" instead of "can" makes the request gentler.