make it clear to them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make it clear to them" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the importance of ensuring that information is understood by others. Example: "During the meeting, I will make it clear to them that deadlines are non-negotiable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Yes, I'll make it clear to them.

The New York Times

I think Colin Powell will make it clear to them that this is our intention..

The New York Times

"We make it clear to them we expect them to keep us closely apprised," he said.

The New York Times

"We wanted to make it clear to them that they were busted," a senior administration official said.

The New York Times

The second step the United States wants the Chinese to take is to "carry some tough message to Pyongyang and make it clear to them that denuclearization is also their goal," the official said.

The New York Times

Make it clear to them that you want to work on digital campaigns, but you'll be surprised to learn that most everyone is doing some "digital" work these days.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Telling them not to do things will make it clearer to them then if you just didn't do or say anything at all.

WikiHow

Try making it clear to them that watching Elmo is a privilege.

The New Yorker

"We have made it clear to them that our primary focus is his on-the-field performance".

The New York Times - Sports

I'm offending exactly who I want to offend and making it clear to them that we stand against them".

The New York Times

"When everyone was hired, I made it clear to them that it was a risk and that there were no guarantees," Mr. Moss said yesterday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make it clear to them", consider your audience and adjust the level of formality to suit their expectations and understanding. Use simple language and concrete examples to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "make it clear to them" in your writing. Vary your phrasing with alternatives like "clarify for them" or "ensure they understand" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make it clear to them" functions as a directive, aiming to ensure comprehension by the intended audience. Ludwig examples show its wide usage across different topics, from political intentions to everyday situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make it clear to them" is a commonly used phrase to emphasize the importance of ensuring others understand a message. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and versatile, fitting diverse contexts from news to general discussions. While effective, it's advisable to consider the audience and context to decide whether a more direct or nuanced phrasing would be more appropriate. Utilizing related phrases can also enrich your writing and prevent repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarify it for them

Replaces "make it clear" with a more direct verb, focusing on the act of clarification.

ensure they understand

Shifts the focus to the outcome of understanding rather than the act of clarifying.

explain it to them plainly

Adds emphasis on simplicity and ease of understanding in the explanation.

spell it out for them

Uses an idiom to suggest a very detailed and explicit explanation.

articulate it distinctly to them

Replaces common words with more formal alternatives, increasing formality.

bring it home to them

Uses an idiom to suggest making something feel real or important to someone.

drive the point home

An idiomatic expression that focuses on emphasizing a specific idea.

get the message across

Focuses on the successful transmission of a message or idea.

make sure they get the picture

Idiomatic expression implying ensuring complete understanding of a situation.

put it in plain language for them

Emphasizes the use of simple and accessible language for better comprehension.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "make it clear to them" for different contexts?

Depending on the situation, you could use phrases like "clarify it for them" (direct), "ensure they understand" (outcome-focused), or "articulate it distinctly to them" (formal).

Is "make it clear to them" too direct for some situations?

Yes, in some contexts, "make it clear to them" can sound demanding. Consider using softer alternatives like "explain it to them plainly" or "get the message across" to maintain a more collaborative tone.

What's the difference between "make it clear to them" and "drive the point home"?

"Make it clear to them" focuses on ensuring understanding, while "drive the point home" is about emphasizing a specific idea forcefully. The latter is more about persuasion than simple clarification.

When is it appropriate to use the idiom "spell it out for them" instead of "make it clear to them"?

Use "spell it out for them" when you need to give a very detailed and explicit explanation, often because the audience is struggling to understand. It implies simplifying the information to its most basic elements.