make clearer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make clearer" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the need to enhance understanding or provide more clarity on a subject. Example: "The teacher asked the student to make clearer their explanation of the project requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Family helps you make clearer choices about things.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When you have more distance, you can make clearer decisions".

The Guardian - Arts

The baby tax may make clearer, Mr. Weisbach allowed, exactly who is paying what.

The New York Times

But she could not make clearer Manon's dawning realisation that she has gambled and lost.

The Guardian

It said: "The MoD needs to make clearer the reasons for these considerable increases".

The Guardian

Brown said a forthcoming white paper would also make clearer how new services would be funded.

The Guardian

Cosmetic surgery — as the celebrity tabloids and society pages make clearer every day — is not always a fortunate undertaking.

The New York Times

Labour needs to make clearer exactly how it proposes to devolve power and how far it is prepared to go.

The Guardian

Unlike some of the adaptations the songwriting team has done in the past, in working from Mr. Doctorow's novel "the problem is not how to flesh out and make clearer, but how to condense and make clearer," Ms. Ahrens said.

The New York Times

You can make clearer ice at home with distilled water that you've boiled to expel dissolved air.

The New York Times

Mr. Axelrod said the Tuesday night results would make clearer how difficult the road ahead might be.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make clearer", ensure the context is specific about what needs clarification. For example, instead of saying "We need to make this clearer", specify "We need to "make clearer" the project's objectives".

Common error

Avoid using "make clearer" without specifying what is being clarified. Unclear use of this phrase can lead to confusion. Always specify the subject or issue that needs further explanation to maintain clarity and effectiveness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make clearer" functions primarily as a verb phrase, typically used to indicate the action of improving or enhancing understanding. Ludwig examples show it used in diverse contexts from news to scientific publications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make clearer" is a grammatically correct and very common way to express the need for improved understanding or enhanced clarity. According to Ludwig, the phrase is found in diverse contexts such as news, science, and business. It functions as a verb phrase, aiming to clarify and reduce ambiguity. While versatile, it's crucial to specify what needs clarification to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "clarify" or "elucidate" can be used for conciseness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarify

A more concise verb that means to make something clear or easier to understand; direct replacement of "make clearer".

elucidate

Offers a more detailed and explanatory approach to making something clear.

shed light on

Focuses on revealing information or understanding.

spell out

Indicates explaining something in a very detailed and explicit way.

illuminate

Implies making something clearer by providing insight or perspective.

make more transparent

Highlights the act of removing obscurity or concealment.

disambiguate

Specifically aims to remove ambiguity or confusion.

articulate more clearly

Emphasizes the act of expressing something in a clear and effective way.

provide greater clarity

Focuses on delivering improved understanding.

explain in greater detail

Stresses the act of offering a more thorough explanation.

FAQs

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

Use "make clearer" when you want to express the need to improve understanding or provide more clarity on a topic. For example, "The speaker needed to "make clearer" the implications of the new policy".

What can I say instead of "make clearer"?

You can use alternatives like "clarify", "elucidate", or "shed light on" depending on the context.

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

Both "make clearer" and "make it clear" are correct, but they have slightly different usages. "Make it clear" is generally used to emphasize a direct and decisive statement, while "make clearer" suggests improving existing understanding.

What's the difference between "make clearer" and "clarify"?

"Clarify" is a more concise verb that directly means to make something clear or easier to understand. "Make clearer" is a phrasal verb that expresses the act of clarifying but might sometimes feel less direct. In most contexts, "clarify" is a suitable substitute.