needs to be clarified

USAGE SUMMARY

"needs to be clarified" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to emphasize that something is not clear and should be made clearer. For example, "His instructions are not detailed enough; some additional information needs to be clarified."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Even so, the contradiction needs to be clarified.

The New York Times - Arts

So it needs to be clarified, and clarified quickly".

The New York Times

Supporters and opponents of gays' adopting children say the state law needs to be clarified.

The New York Times

But Arendt's claim that Eichmann was distinguished by "sheer thoughtlessness" needs to be clarified.

The Guardian - Opinion

The policy needs to be clarified if the new Offa director is to have any impact.

The Guardian

What, if anything needs to be clarified?

Science Magazine

However, the meaning of "environmental factors" needs to be clarified.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

This needs to be clarified in the future.

Earth, Planets and Space

The first word that needs to be clarified is "Why".

SEP

The clinical relevance of these observations needs to be clarified [58].

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Importantly, the relationship between quality assessment processes and the theory behind quality needs to be clarified.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "needs to be clarified", ensure that you identify the specific aspect that requires clarification to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "The policy needs to be clarified", specify: "The policy regarding overtime needs to be clarified."

Common error

Avoid using "needs to be clarified" without indicating what requires clarification. Always provide context or specify the element that needs further explanation to guide the reader effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs to be clarified" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something requires further explanation or detail to become clear. Ludwig AI's analysis, coupled with numerous examples, underscores its prevalence in contexts where precision is essential.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

21%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "needs to be clarified" serves as a call for greater understanding and precision. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and commonly used across various domains, particularly in scientific and news contexts. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to specify what requires clarification to avoid vagueness and ensure effective communication. Alternatives such as "requires further explanation" or "should be elucidated" offer similar meanings with subtle differences in emphasis. Ultimately, "needs to be clarified" is a valuable tool for identifying and addressing ambiguities in writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requires further explanation

This alternative emphasizes the necessity of additional details to enhance understanding.

demands more elaboration

This phrase highlights the need for a more detailed and comprehensive explanation.

warrants further investigation

This suggests that the topic requires deeper scrutiny and research to fully understand it.

should be elucidated

This formal alternative implies a need to shed light on a complex or obscure topic.

calls for greater precision

This indicates the necessity of more accurate and exact language to avoid ambiguity.

is open to interpretation

This alternative suggests that the subject is ambiguous and requires clarification to avoid multiple understandings.

would benefit from more detail

This phrase implies that adding more details would improve the overall clarity and comprehension.

is subject to misinterpretation

Highlights the risk of misunderstanding and the need to provide clearer information to prevent it.

necessitates better definition

Suggests a need for sharper and more precise boundaries to be set.

leaves room for ambiguity

Implies the need for clarification to remove any potential for uncertainty.

FAQs

How can I use "needs to be clarified" in a sentence?

Use "needs to be clarified" when you want to state that something is unclear and requires further explanation. For example: "The instructions are confusing and "needs to be clarified"."

What are some alternatives to "needs to be clarified"?

Alternatives include "requires further explanation", "demands more elaboration", or "should be elucidated", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "needs clarification" or "needs to be clarified"?

Both "needs clarification" and "needs to be clarified" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the desired level of formality and emphasis. "Needs to be clarified" is more emphatic and formal, while "needs clarification" is more concise.

What does it mean when something "needs to be clarified"?

It means that something is not clear or is ambiguous and requires further explanation or information to make it understandable. This could be a policy, a concept, an instruction, or any other piece of information.