make themselves clear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make themselves clear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone is trying to express their thoughts or ideas in a way that is understandable to others. Example: "During the meeting, she took the time to make herself clear about the project's objectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Do they make themselves clear?

The Guardian - Sport

As one looks harder, other images make themselves clear, including an outline of a figure suggesting God according to Michelangelo.

The New York Times

Politicians are not essayists; their purpose is not to make themselves clear but to make themselves, and their ideas, acceptable to a fleeting majority".

The New Yorker

Here is where the differences between art and science make themselves clear: Science generally has something to prove, whereas great art tends to be open-ended, asking questions rather than pressing for answers, or having them pressed upon you.

The New York Times

During the interview, the researchers were careful to avoid leading students to particular statements, and use many open-ended questions with the goal of giving participants more opportunity to make themselves clear.

Asia-Pacific Science Education

The moment a child is born, everything shifts and new priorities and roles make themselves clear.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The Republican candidates, by and large, have made themselves clear: they will not be inhibited in ordering torture.

The New York Times

"Look, we understand the enemy -- they've made themselves clear: they want to murder us," he said.

The New York Times

The dissenters are making themselves clear: some of them may be old -- but they're not old fogeys.

The New York Times

While Balfour was not a poet, few writers enjoy being grilled about their text, hoping that they've already made themselves clear, and if they haven't, that's a way of saying something, too.

The Guardian - Books

Whenever the show presents the viewer with a twist, it feels logical and justified, like signals suddenly making themselves clear through the noise.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, avoid using colloquialisms in conjunction with "make themselves clear". Maintain a consistent level of formality throughout the piece to preserve professionalism.

Common error

Avoid using "make themselves clear" repeatedly within a short span of text. This can make your writing sound repetitive and less engaging. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms like "articulate", "explain", or "specify" to maintain reader interest and comprehension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make themselves clear" functions primarily as a verbal phrase, indicating an action taken to ensure comprehensibility. Ludwig AI shows examples in various contexts where individuals or entities strive to express themselves in a way that avoids confusion.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make themselves clear" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of ensuring one's message is easily understood. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that while the phrase is not exceedingly common, it appears across various contexts including news, science, and general writing. It's most frequently found in News & Media sources, indicating a neutral to professional register. When using "make themselves clear", focus on providing specific examples and avoiding overuse within a short passage to ensure clarity and engagement. Alternatives such as "articulate their thoughts" or "express their views plainly" can offer variety in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

communicate their ideas lucidly

Highlights the clarity and understandability of the communicated ideas.

state their position unambiguously

Focuses on the lack of ambiguity in stating a stance.

clarify their intentions

Concentrates on making their intentions known and understood.

articulate their thoughts

Focuses on the expression of thoughts rather than overall clarity.

elucidate their reasoning

Focuses on explaining the logic behind their thoughts or actions.

convey their message effectively

Highlights the successful transmission of a message.

present their case distinctly

Emphasizes the distinctness and clarity of the presentation.

express their views plainly

Emphasizes straightforward expression of opinions.

get their point across

A more informal way of saying they successfully communicated their message.

ensure their understanding is evident

Focuses on making sure others perceive their level of understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "make themselves clear" in a sentence?

You can use "make themselves clear" when you want to indicate that someone is expressing their thoughts or ideas in a way that is easily understood. For example, "The speaker used visual aids to "make themselves clear" to the audience".

What are some alternatives to "make themselves clear"?

Alternatives to "make themselves clear" include "articulate their thoughts", "express their views plainly", or "communicate their ideas lucidly". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "make themselves clear" or "clarify their intentions"?

While both phrases are appropriate in many contexts, "clarify their intentions" might be perceived as slightly more formal. However, "make themselves clear" is still suitable for professional communication.

What does it mean when someone "makes themselves clear"?

When someone "makes themselves clear", it means they are ensuring that their message is easily understood. This could involve simplifying complex ideas, providing examples, or stating their points directly.