make a clarification

USAGE SUMMARY

"make a clarification" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to explain something more clearly or when you are trying to distinguish the details of a subject. Example sentence: I'd like to make a clarification about this policy before we move on.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

This article was amended on Sunday 11 May 2014 to make a clarification to the standfirst.

The Guardian

After a bit of biography, he paused to make a clarification.

The New Yorker

If I'd heard that, I probably would have gone into the booth and asked Tim to make a clarification".

The New York Times - Sports

I appreciate the generous review of my book "Nothing Was the Same: A Memoir" (Nov. 15), but I would like to make a clarification.

The New York Times

Although I have indicated that I am sorry that I was led by the executive branch to order your detention last December, I want to make a clarification here.

The New York Times

In a strangely stilted letter to the Hong Kong police department, reportedly delivered by his wife, Mr Lee wrote: "I, Lee Bo, a holder of Hong Kong identity card, have recently been reported to be missing for some time, and would like to make a clarification.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Google made a clarification today to their much criticized list of most popular queries in their search engine.

TechCrunch

"Making a clarification like that is a clear point saying, 'We definitely don't want those apps to be able to submit,'" Henschel told me.

TechCrunch

When I posed this question to Michael Horodniceanu, he immediately made a clarification: The subway tunnels in New York are not necessarily "underwater," but rather, underneath the riverbed.

Vice

It was at this occasion that Revicki and Schwartz [ 5] made a clarification of a subject that is more complicated than it first appears.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

The President intended to make a useful clarification, yet it's nearly impossible to overlook the fact that the battles in Selma were animated by a local police force empowered to uphold a racially toxic status quo on behalf of a white minority population.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make a clarification", ensure the context is already somewhat understood by your audience, as it implies refining existing knowledge rather than introducing completely new information.

Common error

Avoid using "make a clarification" when initially presenting information. This phrase is best suited for refining or correcting existing understanding, not for introducing new topics.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a clarification" functions as a performative utterance, indicating the speaker's intent to refine understanding. This involves adjusting or correcting previously stated information. As Ludwig indicates, it's used to explain something more clearly or to distinguish the details of a subject.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make a clarification" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase for refining or correcting previously stated information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it aims to explain something more clearly or distinguish details. While versatile, it's best suited for contexts where some baseline understanding is already present. Its usage spans across various domains, most notably News & Media and Science, indicating its broad applicability in formal and professional settings. When using this phrase, ensure the context calls for refining existing knowledge rather than introducing entirely new information. Related alternatives include "offer some clarity" and "provide an explanation", which offer similar but nuanced approaches to enhancing understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarify the issue

Suggests the action of giving light to a problem that isn't well understood.

offer some clarity

Highlights the act of making something clearer, without necessarily implying a prior confusion.

provide an explanation

Focuses more on offering a reason or justification rather than correcting a misunderstanding.

offer a correction

Directly addresses inaccuracies, rather than simply improving understanding.

rectify the misunderstanding

Addresses an existing confusion or misinterpretation, aiming to correct it explicitly.

elaborate on that point

Suggests expanding on a specific item or statement, often to provide greater understanding.

set the record straight

Implies correcting a previously inaccurate or misleading account, with a more assertive tone.

give further details

Emphasizes adding more information, not necessarily correcting existing information.

shed light on the matter

Implies revealing or explaining something previously obscure or unknown.

expand on the subject

This refers to delving into more depth about a topic, which could include clarifications but isn't limited to them.

FAQs

How can I use "make a clarification" in a sentence?

You can use "make a clarification" when you want to provide additional details or correct a misunderstanding. For example, "Before we proceed, I'd like to make a clarification about the budget allocation."

What's the difference between "make a clarification" and "provide an explanation"?

"Make a clarification" usually implies refining or correcting existing information, while "provide an explanation" means giving a reason or justification for something, often without prior knowledge assumed.

What can I say instead of "make a clarification"?

You can use alternatives like "offer some clarity", "provide an explanation", or "rectify the misunderstanding" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "make a clarification"?

It's appropriate to use "make a clarification" when you need to refine information that has already been presented or when you want to correct a previous statement. It's less suitable for introducing entirely new information.