needing clarification

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needing clarification" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to indicate that a certain part of a sentence or statement may require further explanation or clarification in order to be fully understood. Example: The instructions for the experiment were confusing, with some steps needing clarification.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"What side are you on?" "Upper East Side," I replied, understanding that to some people this might be a big distinction needing clarification.

The New York Times

One issue needing clarification was the amount of a United States subsidy to Israel to acquire 20 advanced American fighter aircraft.

The New York Times

Specifically, if there were any areas within participants' narratives needing clarification, participants were emailed to confirm the researchers' understanding of the data.

Fashion and Textiles

Each party with an interest into the investigation is invited to attend, and to question one another about specific areas needing clarification.

BBC

One question needing clarification was the cause of animal death.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Participate via telephone in an education outreach session to identify areas needing clarification, share problem solving in using the decision support protocol, and to obtain further feedback.

BMC Palliative Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

What exactly needs clarification?

The New York Times

The bill needs clarification.

The New York Times

But one point needs clarification.

The New York Times

This murky reply needs clarification.

The New York Times - Travel

"These inflammatory comments need clarification," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "needing clarification", ensure the subject requiring clarification is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "needing clarification" without specifying what exactly needs to be clarified. For example, instead of saying "The report is needing clarification", specify "The methodology section of the report is needing clarification".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needing clarification" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that it requires further explanation or detail. Ludwig confirms the correctness and common usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "needing clarification" is a grammatically sound and neutrally registered expression used to point out the necessity for further explanation or detail. Ludwig highlights that this phrase is correct and commonly used. Although categorized as uncommon in frequency, it appears across various contexts, particularly in news, media and scientific domains. To enhance your writing, remember to always specify the subject that is "needing clarification". Alternative phrases include "requiring further explanation" and "demanding further details", which can be tailored to fit the specific context of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requiring further explanation

This alternative highlights the necessity of additional explanation.

that requires more clarity

Rephrases the concept to focus on the quality of clarity.

demanding further details

This phrase emphasizes the need for more specific information.

aspects that are not clear

Directly points out the lack of clarity in certain aspects.

in need of further definition

This option stresses the requirement for a clearer definition.

calling for elucidation

This alternative uses a more formal term for clarification.

that needs to be expanded upon

Shifts the focus to the act of adding more information.

points for better understanding

Emphasizes the goal of improved comprehension.

warranting further specification

This phrase focuses on the need for more precise specification.

areas for further inquiry

Suggests an investigation to gain better understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "needing clarification" in a sentence?

You can use "needing clarification" to describe something that requires further explanation or detail. For example, "Some aspects of the proposal are "requiring further explanation"".

What is a more formal way to say "needing clarification"?

A more formal alternative to "needing clarification" is "calling for elucidation" or "warranting further specification". These options are suitable for academic or professional contexts.

Is "needing clarification" grammatically correct?

Yes, "needing clarification" is grammatically correct. It functions as an adjective phrase describing something that needs to be made clearer.

What does "needing clarification" mean?

"Needing clarification" means that something is not fully understood and requires further explanation, detail, or definition to improve comprehension.