needs to be cleared up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needs to be cleared up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is unclear or requires clarification. Example: "There seems to be some confusion regarding the project timeline, and that needs to be cleared up before we proceed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

That needs to be cleared up".

The New Yorker

That needs to be cleared up quickly".

The New Yorker

"That's something that needs to be cleared up".

The New York Times

"We've created a mess, and this mess needs to be cleared up," he said.

The New York Times

Clearly, the question of the title needs to be cleared up before we can proceed with this week's video.

The Guardian - Music

And: "The other big misconception, which needs to be cleared up in my opinion, is video on demand".

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Some issues might need to be "cleared up", he said.

The Guardian

It might be projects falling behind schedule, miscommunications that need to be cleared up, or people who aren't getting what they need.

Harvard Business Review

"Usually I do not comment on any transfer negotiations or speculation but this time certain matters need to be cleared up," said Adebayor.

The Guardian - Sport

"I do think this does need to be cleared up by No 10 as quickly as possible," Clegg told BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning.

The Guardian

Pierre Moscovici, EU commissioner, says that these bad loans need to be cleared up so that the Greek banking sector can return to health.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "needs to be cleared up", ensure the subject requiring clarification is explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The project scope needs to be cleared up before proceeding."

Common error

Avoid using "needs to be cleared up" in highly informal settings where simpler phrases like "needs fixing" or "needs sorting out" might be more appropriate. This ensures your language aligns with the context and audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs to be cleared up" functions as a passive construction indicating a requirement for clarification or resolution. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It highlights that some issue or matter requires attention to remove confusion or uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "needs to be cleared up" serves to highlight the necessity for clarification or resolution in a variety of contexts. Ludwig AI validates that the phrase is grammatically sound and usable. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, with secondary usage in scientific and formal business contexts. While its register is generally neutral, its effectiveness depends on explicitly stating the subject requiring clarification. For situations demanding greater formality, alternatives such as "requires clarification" or "demands resolution" may prove more apt.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requires clarification

Focuses specifically on the lack of clarity and the necessity for further explanation.

needs to be clarified

Similar meaning, but focuses more on making something understandable.

requires further explanation

Highlights a demand for something be explained with more details.

demands resolution

Emphasizes the urgency and importance of resolving an issue.

must be resolved

Highlights the obligation to find a solution.

must be addressed

Emphasizes the need to give attention and deal with the issue.

calls for elucidation

More formal and emphasizes the need for shedding light on a complex matter.

warrants investigation

Suggests that a situation needs to be looked into more deeply.

should be straightened out

More informal, suggesting that something is currently tangled or disorganized.

has to be sorted out

Informal, indicating a need to organize and resolve confusion.

FAQs

What does "needs to be cleared up" mean?

The phrase "needs to be cleared up" means that something is unclear, confusing, or has issues that require resolution and clarification. It suggests a situation or information requires attention to make it more understandable or accurate.

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

You can use "needs to be cleared up" to indicate that something is not well understood and requires clarification, for example: "The misunderstanding about the budget "needs to be cleared up" immediately."

What are some alternatives to "needs to be cleared up"?

Alternatives include phrases like "requires clarification", "must be resolved", or "needs to be clarified". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of formality required.

Is "needs to be cleared up" formal or informal?

"Needs to be cleared up" falls in the neutral to professional register. While understandable in most contexts, more formal situations might benefit from phrases like "requires elucidation", while more informal situations might use "has to be sorted out".