make clear to

USAGE SUMMARY

"make clear to" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to explain or clarify something to someone. Example sentence: The teacher made it clear to the students that the test would cover chapters 1-5. In this sentence, "make clear to" is used to indicate that the teacher explained and clarified the information about the test to the students.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How difficult is this to make clear to an audience?

The New York Times

Make clear to the staff how you want it cooked.

The New York Times - Arts

Did one showing suffice to make clear to you what the film contained?

Yale University

In short, he has to make clear to the unions that they do not own him.

The Economist

The United States must make clear to Morsi that this is not an option.

The New York Times

But Mr. Obama should also make clear to the American people what the treaty would do.

The New York Times

They must make clear to voters that they have little to fear.

The New York Times

And make clear to the bank that the recurring charge is "unauthorized".

The New York Times

Washington needs to make clear to him just how dangerous and counterproductive that approach is.

The New York Times

A security strategy would also make clear to Russia where Germany would draw the line.

The New York Times

Surely this is something that Uber should make clear to the riders it uses as monitors?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make clear to", ensure that the message following the phrase is direct and unambiguous to avoid misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using vague or ambiguous language after "make clear to". The purpose of this phrase is to ensure understanding, so follow it with a precise and easily understood statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make clear to" functions as a verb phrase used to indicate the act of clarifying or explaining something to someone. It sets the stage for a direct and unambiguous statement. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make clear to" is a very common phrase used to emphasize the act of ensuring understanding through clear communication. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and predominantly found in News & Media, Academic, and Formal & Business contexts. To enhance clarity, follow the phrase with a direct and unambiguous statement. Alternatives include "explain to" and "clarify for". When using the phrase, ensure that the subsequent message is precise and easily understood, avoiding vague or ambiguous language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explain to

Highlights the act of providing an explanation.

clarify for

Focuses on the act of clarification, emphasizing making something understandable.

state explicitly to

Emphasizes the direct and unambiguous nature of the communication.

elucidate to

A more formal way of saying to clarify or explain.

convey to

Focuses on the act of transmitting information to someone.

indicate to

Suggests pointing something out or signaling it.

communicate to

Highlights the general act of communicating something.

spell out for

Suggests explaining something in a very detailed and simple way.

inform someone about

Focuses on the act of providing information.

express to

Emphasizes the act of conveying a thought or feeling.

FAQs

How to use "make clear to" in a sentence?

Use "make clear to" to emphasize the act of clarifying or explaining something to someone. For example: "The manager needed to "make clear to" the team the new project deadlines".

What can I say instead of "make clear to"?

You can use alternatives like "explain to", "clarify for", or "state explicitly to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "make clear to" or "make it clear to"?

Both "make clear to" and "make it clear to" are grammatically correct, but "make clear to" is more direct. "Make it clear to" is slightly more emphatic but can sometimes sound less concise.

What's the difference between "make clear to" and "inform"?

"Make clear to" implies ensuring understanding, while "inform" simply means conveying information. You can "inform" someone without necessarily "making clear to" them.