let me clarify

USAGE SUMMARY

'let me clarify' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you need to explain something more clearly or to provide additional or more specific detail about something you have already said. For example, you could say: "I don't think we should invest too much money into that project - let me clarify that I don't mean we shouldn't take any risks, just that we should be cautious."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Let me clarify that.

The Economist

Well, let me clarify.

Independent

Let me clarify.

The New Yorker

Let me clarify: I consider myself a liberal parent.

The Guardian - Opinion

As an American who was educated there, let me clarify.

The Guardian - Opinion

Let me clarify, Mr Hunt, to you, our doors are always open.

Independent

Let me clarify: I don't really like the idea of the ocean.

The New York Times

Let me clarify that: The name of the show is not the address of the building.

The New York Times

Let me clarify Cardinal Roger Mahony's "clarity" on the right to choose (letter, June 2).

The New York Times

Without getting too deep into the historical weeds, let me clarify.

The New Yorker

"Ironically, let me clarify on Twitter that there is absolutely no intent of the government to curb freedom of social media platforms," he wrote.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "let me clarify" to preemptively address potential misunderstandings or to add necessary details to a statement. This ensures clearer communication and reduces ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid starting too many sentences with "let me clarify". Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less engaging. Instead, vary your approach with phrases like "to elaborate" or "in other words".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "let me clarify" serves as a discourse marker. It functions to signal an upcoming explanation or correction, as shown in the Ludwig examples. It is a preemptive tool used to mitigate potential misunderstanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "let me clarify" is a widely used phrase that acts as a discourse marker to signal the intention to provide further explanation or correct a potential misunderstanding. Ludwig AI's analysis and examples from credible sources, primarily from News & Media, show that it is grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, maintaining a neutral tone. It is advisable to avoid overuse and to vary phrasing for better writing. By understanding its function and usage patterns, communicators can ensure clearer and more effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What I mean to say is

Highlights the speaker's intended meaning, often correcting a misinterpretation.

What I'm trying to say is

Focuses on conveying the intended message despite potential confusion.

Let me rephrase that

Signals an intention to restate something more clearly.

Let me explain further

Directly indicates an intention to provide additional details.

I should clarify

Implies a need to correct a potential misunderstanding.

Allow me to elaborate

Offers a more formal tone to indicate further explanation.

To be more precise

Signals that the following statement will offer greater accuracy.

To put it another way

Offers an alternative phrasing for better understanding.

In other words

Indicates a restatement of the previous idea in simpler terms.

For the sake of clarity

Emphasizes the importance of clear communication.

FAQs

How can I use "let me clarify" effectively in a sentence?

Use "let me clarify" when you need to provide more detail or correct a possible misunderstanding. For example, "I support the initiative, but "let me clarify" that I have reservations about the budget allocation."

What's a more formal alternative to "let me clarify"?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "allow me to elaborate" or "to be more precise".

Is it appropriate to use "let me clarify" in academic writing?

While "let me clarify" is acceptable, it may be more suitable for presentations or less formal academic contexts. In formal papers, consider using alternatives like "to elaborate" or "to provide further detail".

How does "let me clarify" differ from "let me explain"?

"Let me clarify" is used to make something already said clearer, while "let me explain" is used to provide an initial explanation. You would use "let me clarify" when you sense confusion about a previous statement, whereas "let me explain" introduces new information or a new perspective on old information.