obtain clarification from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obtain clarification from" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need an explanation for something, usually from a person who has more knowledge or experience about the subject than you do. For example, "I wasn't sure what the professor meant, so I decided to obtain clarification from him."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Evf takes the view that the law needs clarifying — and it using these new data protection complaints as the vehicle to obtain clarification from the various regional data protection agencies.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

9) Request that the Executive Council of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons obtain clarifications from the government of Sudan about its alleged use of chemical weapons in Jebel Marra in accordance with Article IX of the Chemical Weapons Convention; asking for an on-site challenge inspection in accordance with Article IX of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

European Parliament

"Where the government feels it is necessary, it is right that we obtain clarification of the devolution settlement from the Supreme Court, following the process that the Government of Wales Act clearly sets out".

BBC

Electronic messages were sent to some authors to obtain clarification where necessary.

BioMed Research International

They were allowed to ask questions and obtain clarifications by dedicated medical personnel.

BMC Women's Health

Having obtained clarification it was now clear that an offence had been committed, he said.

BBC

HuffPost attempted to get clarification from the Webster campaign.

Huffington Post

Corresponding authors were e-mailed for obtaining clarifications or extra data.

Progress in Orthodontics

The informants received written information about the study before they made their decision, and they were given the opportunity to obtain further clarification from the first author.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

"I was told," Mr. Rubin wrote, "that he was taking this action as a result of my role in obtaining a clarification from the F.A.A. on Nov. 20, 2000, concerning crew rest and duty limitations".

The New York Times

Regrettably we could not obtain any further clarification from the study authors.

Gynecological Surgery

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "obtain clarification from", ensure you are directing your request to a person or entity capable of providing the explanation you need. For example, it's best to "obtain clarification from" a subject matter expert.

Common error

Avoid using "obtain clarification from" in overly casual settings. While grammatically correct, "obtain" can sound stilted in informal conversation; simpler phrases like "ask" or "get clarification from" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obtain clarification from" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of receiving explanation or further details from a specified source. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "obtain clarification from" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe the act of seeking and receiving an explanation or details from someone. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While versatile, it is best suited for professional, formal, and neutral registers, such as science, news, media, and business contexts. Simpler alternatives may be more appropriate for informal settings. The phrase conveys a clear and direct request for information, making it valuable in situations where precision and understanding are crucial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seek explanation from

Focuses more on the action of actively seeking an explanation.

request explanation from

Emphasizes the formal act of requesting an explanation.

ask for details from

Highlights the act of asking for specific details rather than a general clarification.

get details from

Focuses on successfully receiving details from someone.

solicit information from

A more formal way of saying to ask for information.

procure explanation from

A more formal and less common alternative.

gain insights from

Emphasizes gaining a deeper understanding or perspective.

draw information from

Highlights the extraction of information from a source.

elicit clarification from

Focuses on drawing out a clarification from someone who may be hesitant to offer it.

find out details from

Implies uncovering details through investigation or inquiry.

FAQs

How can I use "obtain clarification from" in a sentence?

You can use "obtain clarification from" to indicate that you are seeking an explanation or further details from a specific source. For example: "I need to "obtain clarification from" the manager regarding the new policy".

What's a simpler alternative to "obtain clarification from"?

Alternatives include phrases like "get clarification from", "ask for clarification from", or simply "ask" depending on the context. The simpler phrasing may be more appropriate for informal communication.

Is "obtain clarification from" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "obtain clarification from" is suitable for formal writing. It conveys a professional and clear request for information or explanation.

How does "obtain clarification from" differ from "seek clarification from"?

While both are similar, "obtain clarification from" implies a successful acquisition of the clarification, whereas "seek clarification from" simply indicates the act of trying to get clarification. You might "seek clarification from" someone without actually "obtaining clarification from" them.