make things clearer

USAGE SUMMARY

"make things clearer" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to suggest that someone explain something in more detail in order to make the information easier to understand. For example, "Can you please make things clearer for me? I'm not sure I understand what you're saying."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Age can make things clearer.

The New Yorker

Perhaps that will help make things clearer.

The New York Times - Books

The list should make things clearer, he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"We want to make things clearer for viewers and voters".

The New York Times

To make things clearer, however, reformers would like to see two changes.

The Economist

This restatement of the premise of scenario planning doesn't make things clearer for me.

Princeton University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

But the texts themselves begin to make things clear.

The New Yorker

We wait for the trial to make things clear.

The New Yorker

I don't trust myself to make things clear.

The New York Times

They were all terrible, condescending, and didn't make things clear.

Independent

"With time and good explanation, I think we can make things clear to our people".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make things clearer", ensure that the context provides specific actions or methods that will lead to increased clarity. For instance, "Providing examples will make things clearer."

Common error

Don't use "make things clearer" without indicating how clarity will be achieved. For example, instead of saying "We will make things clearer in the future", specify what steps will be taken: "We will make things clearer by providing step-by-step instructions."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make things clearer" functions primarily as a directive, often used to request or suggest clarification or simplification of information. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make things clearer" is a common and grammatically correct way to request or suggest clarification, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its purpose is to improve understanding by reducing ambiguity. It is most frequently used in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts. When using "make things clearer", be sure to provide context on how clarity will be improved. While alternatives like "clarify the matter" or "simplify the explanation" exist, "make things clearer" provides a direct and easily understood means of conveying the need for better comprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explain in simpler terms

Focuses on using easier language to improve understanding, suitable when adapting explanations for different audiences.

make it understandable

Focuses on the result of clarity, emphasizing the ease of comprehension.

simplify the explanation

Highlights the act of simplification to achieve clarity, useful when dealing with complex topics.

clarify the matter

Replaces "make" and "clearer" with a more formal verb and noun, emphasizing the act of clarification itself.

elucidate the situation

Uses a more sophisticated verb to convey the idea of making something clear, suitable for formal contexts.

offer a clearer picture

Uses a visual metaphor to convey the idea of making something easier to understand.

shed light on things

Employs a metaphorical expression to suggest revealing or clarifying information, less direct than the original phrase.

resolve the ambiguity

Addresses the removal of uncertainty to achieve clarity, suitable for formal and technical contexts.

spell it out

Offers a more informal way to express the need for clarity, suggesting a very direct and explicit explanation.

provide more details

Suggests adding information to improve understanding, rather than necessarily making existing information clearer.

FAQs

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

You can use "make things clearer" to suggest simplifying an explanation or providing additional details. For example: "Can you provide an example to make things clearer?"

What are some alternatives to "make things clearer"?

Alternatives include "clarify the matter", "elucidate the situation", or "simplify the explanation", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "make things clear" or "make things clearer"?

"Make things clear" is generally used to state that something should be unambiguous or easily understood. "Make things clearer" implies improving existing clarity. Both are correct, but their nuances differ.

When is it appropriate to use "make things clearer" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "make things clearer" when you want to emphasize the need for increased understanding, especially when dealing with complex or confusing information. Aim to "explain in simpler terms".