needs clarifying

USAGE SUMMARY

"needs clarifying" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when something is unclear and requires further explanation. For example: "The instructions for the project needs clarifying." Alternative expressions include "requires clarification" and "needs further explanation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

This passage contains several arguments, the first of which needs clarifying.

The New Yorker

The other issue where the Lib Dem position needs clarifying is, oddly, electoral reform.

The Guardian - Opinion

Short, who was international development secretary from 1997 to 2003, said: "This is an issue that needs clarifying and sorting out.

The Guardian

However, Victoria Robertson, a lawyer at Needle Partnership who acted for sacked staff at the tribunal, said: "The law needs clarifying on this matter.

The Guardian - Business

George F. Will's statement [ Ukraine: A crisis that matters," op-ed, Feb. 20] that "nationalism is a necessary, although insufficient impulse sustaining liberty" needs clarifying.

The Washington Post

The storytelling – which jumps back and forth in time as Capa's brother, Cornell, tries to find a missing suitcase of lost photographs after Robert's death – sometimes needs clarifying, and there is a tendency to overplay the physical stuff.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Some of George Monbiot's points (Comment, 19 May) need clarifying.

The Guardian

"Those rules currently need clarifying between the FIA and the teams," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

A joint select committee argued earlier this year that the law on drones needed clarifying.

The Guardian

("I had a crazy childhood," he added, as if it needed clarifying).

The New York Times

Before delving deeper into the chemistry of romance and confection, some terms need clarifying.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "needs clarifying", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific aspect requires further explanation to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "This needs clarifying", specify "This section of the report needs clarifying."

Common error

Avoid using "needs clarifying" without specifying what exactly requires clarification. Vague statements like "This needs clarifying" leave the audience unsure of what to focus on. Instead, be precise: "The methodology section needs clarifying regarding the sample size."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs clarifying" functions as a predicative expression, indicating that a subject requires further explanation or elucidation. Ludwig AI validates this use.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "needs clarifying" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signals the requirement for further explanation or details. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, its function is to prompt greater understanding. While versatile, precise usage is key to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like ""requires further explanation"" and ""calls for clarification"" offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requires further explanation

This alternative uses a more formal tone, emphasizing the necessity of additional explanation.

must be explained further

This alternative stresses the obligation to provide more explanation.

is in need of clarification

This alternative adds a slight emphasis on the current state requiring clarification.

calls for clarification

This option is slightly more emphatic, suggesting a strong need for clarification.

requires further details

This emphasizes the lack of specific information and the necessity to provide more.

demands elucidation

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the need for making something clear and understandable.

should be elaborated

This suggests that more details are necessary to fully understand the topic.

needs to be made more explicit

This option emphasizes making something clearer and more direct.

warrants further investigation

This phrase suggests a deeper look is needed to understand a situation.

is not fully understood

This expresses that the topic isn't completely grasped and needs better understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "needs clarifying" in a sentence?

You can use "needs clarifying" to indicate that something is unclear and requires further explanation. For example: "The instructions for the project "needs clarifying"."

What are some alternatives to "needs clarifying"?

Some alternatives to "needs clarifying" include "requires further explanation", "calls for clarification", or "is in need of clarification".

Which is more appropriate: "needs clarifying" or "requires clarification"?

Both "needs clarifying" and "requires clarification" are correct and often interchangeable. "Requires clarification" might be considered slightly more formal, but the choice depends on the context and your preferred tone.

What does it mean when something "needs clarifying"?

When something "needs clarifying", it means that it is not clear or understandable and requires further explanation, details, or context to make it more comprehensible.