elucidating

USAGE SUMMARY

"elucidating" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it whenever you are trying to explain or clarify something. For example, "The professor spent the entire lecture elucidating the finer points of 19th century history."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

JAMES WATSON and Francis Crick earned scientific immortality by elucidating the structure of the genetic code.

The Economist

It's also fine that only a small fraction of the Court's oral arguments will interest a wide audience: cases like those elucidating the meaning of the bankruptcy code or arcane arbitration rules are on the docket much more often than same-sex marriage, affirmative action or the death penalty.

The Economist

Batting average can vary wildly depending on whether a player happens to hit balls right at the fielders or between them Kevin Costner's character in "Bull Durham" offers a great speech elucidating this phenomenon.

The Economist

And the spending review that should have been due this year seems to have been postponed to save the government the ignominy of elucidating its own planned cuts, says Mr Cameron.Yet Mr Brown's substantive position on spending does not have to be right, or even internally consistent, for his determination to fight on this turf to be clever politics.

The Economist

Something electrifyingly important yet ominous was happening: George Osborne, the chancellor of the exchequer, was setting out the results of the coalition government's spending review, elucidating how it intends to cut Britain's huge fiscal deficit currently equivalent to 10% of GDP.

The Economist

Since then, editors, critics and stage directors have busied themselves elucidating his texts and altering our understanding of them.

The Economist

The theory was influential and much-popularized earlier but has been of little significance in elucidating either evolution or embryonic growth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The new techniques of elucidating and elaborating material, developed by romance writers in the 12th century, produced a method whereby actions, motives, states of mind, were scrutinized and debated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As William Warde Fowler, a British historian, showed in his classic Religious Experience of the Roman People (1911), the task of elucidating the role of religion in Roman society can be accomplished without settling the question of the validity or cognitive import of the religious feelings, ideas, and beliefs in question.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In his next book, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim (2004), Sedaris, by elucidating with a surgeon's skill the countless gaps and crossed wires in each interaction he described, demonstrated once again the hilarious absurdity lurking beneath the veneer of ordinariness.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In its early period during the 1940s, the field was concerned with elucidating the basic three-dimensional structure of proteins.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "elucidating" when you want to convey a sense of detailed explanation that brings clarity to a complex topic.

Common error

Avoid using "elucidating" in situations where a simpler word like "explaining" or "clarifying" would suffice. Using it too frequently can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "elucidating" is that of a verb, specifically the present participle or gerund form. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe the act of making something clear or understandable, often in a detailed manner.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

37%

News & Media

34%

Science

29%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "elucidating" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb form that means to make something clear or understandable through detailed explanation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Predominantly found in encyclopedias, news media, and scientific contexts, it maintains a formal tone. When writing, it's best to use "elucidating" to add clarity to complex information. Though it is a correct word choice, be cautious not to overuse it, opting for simpler terms like "explaining" in less formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarifying

Focuses on making something easier to understand, often by removing ambiguities.

explaining

Offers a detailed account to make something comprehensible.

illuminating

Suggests revealing something previously hidden or unknown.

expounding

Involves presenting and explaining a theory or idea in detail.

interpreting

Focuses on explaining the meaning of something, especially something ambiguous.

delineating

Emphasizes outlining or defining something clearly and precisely.

unraveling

Suggests solving a complex or intricate problem.

deciphering

Implies converting something obscure or coded into understandable terms.

demystifying

Focuses on removing the mystery or complexity from something.

unpacking

Describes examining something methodically in order to understand its components.

FAQs

How can I use "elucidating" in a sentence?

You can use "elucidating" to describe the act of making something clear or understandable. For instance, "The professor spent the lecture "elucidating" the complex theories."

What's a good alternative to "elucidating"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "elucidating" include "clarifying", "explaining", or "illuminating".

What is the difference between "elucidating" and "clarifying"?

"Elucidating" typically suggests a more detailed and comprehensive explanation, while "clarifying" focuses on removing confusion or ambiguity.

Is it appropriate to use "elucidating" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "elucidating" is generally more suitable for formal or academic writing. In informal contexts, simpler words like "explaining" or "showing" are often preferred.