make this clearer

USAGE SUMMARY

"make this clearer" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want someone to provide more clarity or explanation on a certain topic or statement. Example: "The instructions for this project are not very clear. Can you please make this clearer so I can understand how to complete it?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I think there is a responsibility to help make this clearer still.

The Guardian

I think we're all trying to work together to make this clearer.

The Guardian - Tech

There needs to be some consistency across all airlines and airports to make this clearer for everyone," he says.

The Guardian - Money

We have done some work to make this clearer in the front end which will go live soon.

The Guardian

Reports from UN experts, human rights groups and news reports of bombings of schools, hospitals and mosques could not make this clearer.

The Guardian - Opinion

We will change the name of the category to make this clearer.

TechCrunch

In any case, this type of categorization problem exists with any such data set; share your recommendations for how to make this clearer in the comments.

TechCrunch

To make this clearer, trees such as those in b are sometimes "ultrametricized" as in c, meaning that the terminal nodes are aligned with each other and the internal branch lengths are scaled to show the degree of divergence among sister groups rather than among individual species.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Update: Just heard from someone who suggested I could make this clearer: I don’t think you can compare the revenue trajectory of FIM, which is a rollup of pre-existing companies, to that of start-up Google or even Facebook.

Forbes

We don't know how to make this clearer: That article was written in 2009.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Let's make this clear.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In written communication, follow up potentially confusing statements with phrases like "In other words…" or "To clarify…" to preemptively "make this clearer" for your readers.

Common error

Avoid excessive simplification to the point of patronizing your audience. Gauge their existing knowledge to "make this clearer" without insulting their intelligence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make this clearer" functions as an imperative, directly requesting clarification or further explanation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase. Examples from Ludwig show it used in contexts ranging from clarifying instructions to explaining complex data.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

46%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make this clearer" is a correct and very common imperative phrase used to request clarification. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's versatile and appropriate across various contexts, particularly in science and news media. When using this phrase, ensure to be specific about the points needing clarification. Alternatives include "clarify this further" or "explain this more plainly", depending on the desired level of formality. Avoid over-explaining simple concepts to prevent patronizing your audience. Remember, effective communication hinges on clarity and conciseness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarify this further

Focuses on adding more explanation for better understanding.

elucidate this point

Emphasizes bringing light and clarity to a specific aspect.

explain this more plainly

Highlights the need for simpler, more accessible language.

provide a clearer explanation

Stresses the act of giving a more understandable account.

make this more understandable

Focuses on improving overall comprehension.

shed more light on this

Uses a metaphorical expression for making something easier to understand.

offer a more transparent view

Suggests providing an unobstructed and clear perspective.

simplify this explanation

Emphasizes reducing complexity for better understanding.

spell this out

Suggests providing a very detailed and explicit explanation, leaving no room for ambiguity.

rephrase this for clarity

Highlights the act of rewording to improve understanding.

FAQs

How can I politely ask someone to "make this clearer"?

You can use phrases like "Could you elaborate on that?", "Could you provide more detail?", or "Could you "explain this more plainly"?"

Is "make this clearer" appropriate for formal communication?

Yes, "make this clearer" is generally acceptable, but in very formal contexts, you might prefer "Could you please clarify?" or "Could you please provide further elucidation?"

What does it mean when someone asks me to "make this clearer"?

It means they find your explanation confusing or incomplete and need more information or a simpler explanation to understand it fully.

What are some alternatives to "make this clearer" in academic writing?

In academic writing, consider using phrases like "To elaborate further", "To provide additional context", or "To "elucidate this point"" for more formal and precise language.