help clarifying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "help clarifying" is not correct in standard written English.
It should be used in contexts where you are offering assistance in making something clearer or easier to understand. Example: "I can help clarify the instructions if you're having trouble understanding them."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Such means are however essential to help clarifying and analysing existing contingent approaches and to assist researchers in developing more innovative contingent methods.

Computers & Industrial Engineering

The suppression of learning after exposure in NREM sleep is unprecedented, and future studies will help clarifying the exact mechanisms enabling memory suppression.

Nature

Gifted children need help clarifying their values and goals.

Duke University

I spoke with a representative at the U.S. Department of Education's Student Financial Assistance (SFA) office who suggested that the best thing you can do is to call them (1-800-4-FED-AID if you're in the U.S., or 1-319-337-5665--not toll-free--if you're outside the U.S). to get personal help clarifying your eligibility requirements for federal aid.

Science Magazine

However: If your gut tells you you're being emotional abused, get help clarifying what this means and what your options are.

Huffington Post

If you want help clarifying your true purpose, or if you're having great success with it, then let us know in the comments below.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Some examples may help clarify these ideas.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A fair trial could help clarify it.

The New York Times

Clarifying our words would also help clarify our policy.

The Washington Post

Her comments also help clarify Lionel's mental state.

The New York Times

We performed this meta-analysis to help clarify these inconsistencies.

Infection, Genetics and Evolution

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and grammatical correctness, consider using the infinitive form "help to clarify" instead of "help clarifying".

Common error

Avoid using "help" directly followed by a gerund (verb ending in -ing) when you intend to express assistance in making something clear. It's a subtle grammatical pitfall that can undermine the professionalism of your writing. Instead, opt for "help to clarify" or rephrase using alternatives like "assist in clarifying".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "help clarifying" functions as a verb phrase aiming to express assistance in making something clearer. However, as pointed out by Ludwig AI, it's considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English. It's often used in contexts where clarification is needed, but it's advisable to use a more grammatically sound alternative.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

26%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "help clarifying" is used, it's considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests that standard written English prefers alternatives such as "help to clarify", "assist in clarifying", or simply "clarify". The phrase appears across various contexts like science, news, and academia, but opting for grammatically correct alternatives is recommended, especially in professional settings, to ensure clarity and credibility in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Help to clarify

Inserts "to" between "help" and "clarify", creating a grammatically correct infinitive phrase.

Assist in clarifying

Replaces "help" with the more formal "assist", changing the verb to a gerund.

Aid in clarification

Substitutes "help" with "aid" and transforms the verb into a noun, offering a more formal tone.

Assist in the explanation of

Emphasizes assistance in explaining something, suitable for contexts where explanation is key.

Contribute to the clarification of

Offers a more formal and elaborate way to express assistance in making something clear.

Provide clarification for

Focuses on providing clarity, altering the structure to highlight the act of giving clarity.

Facilitate the clarification of

Emphasizes the role of making the process of clarification easier.

Clarify

Uses a single verb to convey the action of making something clear, avoiding the need for auxiliary verbs.

Elucidate

Replaces the entire phrase with a single, more sophisticated verb meaning to make clear.

Shed light on

Uses a figurative expression to convey the idea of making something clearer or more understandable.

FAQs

Is "help clarifying" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "help clarifying" is not considered grammatically correct in standard written English. It's recommended to use "help to clarify" or other alternatives.

What are some alternatives to "help clarifying"?

You can use alternatives like "assist in clarifying", "aid in clarification", or simply "clarify" depending on the context.

How can I use "help to clarify" in a sentence?

You can use "help to clarify" in a sentence like: "Additional research may help to clarify the results".

What's the difference between "help clarifying" and "help to clarify"?

While both phrases aim to express assistance in making something clear, "help clarifying" is considered grammatically incorrect. "Help to clarify" is the grammatically standard form.