elucidate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "elucidate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean "to make something clear or explain it more clearly". For example, "The teacher elucidated the concept of photosynthesis to the students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Raymond Carver (1976) Possibly the most economical short story writer in this list, Carver, with his precise, punchy prose, conveys in a few words what many novelists take several pages to elucidate.

The Guardian

Politicians are more concerned to orchestrate than elucidate in any debate, but it doesn't follow that they are always wrong.

The Guardian - Opinion

"My point here," Zuckerman writes, "isn't to elucidate all the peculiarities of my social network (indeed, analysing these diagrams is a bit like analysing your dreams – fascinating to you, but off-putting to everyone else).

The Guardian - Tech

This time, once the game was over, they asked the participants a series of questions designed to elucidate their attitudes to the selfless "player".Most of the responses fell into two categories: "If you give a lot, you should use a lot," and "He makes us all look bad".

The Economist

Shakespeare wrote in "Henry IV Part II": "Is it not strange that desire should so many years outlive performance?" When it can elucidate our understanding of an unknown world, certainly not.

The Economist

Rather, it is for a kind of Indian literature and literary sensibility, which he reveres, and now is scarce.Written over a 15-year period, in which he has excelled as a novelist and academic, Mr Chaudhuri's essays elucidate an Indian modernist tradition, which he finds rooted in 19th-century Bengali humanism and is characterised by "ellipsis and disjunction".

The Economist

And he declined to elucidate his position on Turkish membership of the EU.The prime minister's reticence on foreign affairs does have advantages.

The Economist

For example, he explained that stories about Muhammad's childhood are not meant to relate to historical events, but rather "to elucidate the mystery of the prophetic experience".

The Economist

The fiscal debate needs to change to incorporate these facts and elucidate the underlying reasons for policy changes.

The Economist

Since they are better than anything else at bringing free radicals to a dead halt, fullerenes can elucidate precisely the roles the radicals play and why, like radicals everywhere, they make so much go wrong.

The Economist

The tour highlights the changes made to Berlin since Mr Bowie walked its streets almost 40 years ago and, like the exhibition itself, helps elucidate the city's effect on Bowie's life and music.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "elucidate" when you want to convey a sense of thoroughness and clarity in your explanation, especially when dealing with complex or obscure topics.

Common error

Avoid using "elucidate" in very simple contexts where a word like "explain" or "clarify" would suffice. "Elucidate" is best reserved for situations requiring a deeper level of explanation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "elucidate" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being clarified or explained. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various sentence structures across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "elucidate" is a grammatically correct transitive verb used to describe the act of making something clear or explaining it in detail. Ludwig AI confirms its valid usage. Predominantly found in formal and scientific contexts, it aims to clarify complex subjects. While common, it's advisable to use it judiciously, reserving it for instances where a thorough explanation is required. Alternatives like "clarify" and "explain in detail" can be used in simpler contexts. Top sources using this word include The Economist and The Guardian. This comprehensive guide, using Ludwig's insights, aims to further elucidate the usage of "elucidate".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarify

A simpler and more direct synonym for making something clear.

make clear

A straightforward way of expressing the act of clarifying.

explain in detail

Emphasizes the thoroughness of the explanation.

expound on

Implies a more formal and detailed explanation.

shed light on

Uses a metaphorical expression to indicate making something easier to understand.

demystify

Focuses on removing the mystery or confusion surrounding a topic.

spell out

Suggests explaining something very explicitly, leaving no room for doubt.

interpret

Focuses on explaining the meaning of something complex or ambiguous.

decode

Suggests revealing a hidden or obscured meaning.

unravel

Implies disentangling a complicated issue to make it understandable.

FAQs

How can I use "elucidate" in a sentence?

You can use "elucidate" when you want to make something clear or explain it more clearly. For example, "The professor used diagrams to "elucidate" the complex chemical process."

What can I say instead of "elucidate"?

You can use alternatives like "clarify", "explain in detail", or "shed light on" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "elucidate" or "illuminate"?

"Elucidate" means to make something clear, while "illuminate" can mean to light up physically or to make something clearer. While similar, "elucidate" focuses specifically on clarifying understanding.

What's the difference between "elucidate" and "explain"?

"Explain" is a general term for making something understandable. "Elucidate" suggests a more thorough and detailed explanation, often of something complex or obscure.