please clarify this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "please clarify this" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need someone to provide more information or explanation about a specific point or topic. Example: "I didn't fully understand your last point; could you please clarify this?"

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

We would appreciate if you could please clarify this point in your article".

Huffington Post

Please clarify this point.

eLife

Please clarify this.

eLife

Please clarify this apparent discrepancy.

eLife

Please clarify this in the revised manuscript.

F1000Research

Please clarify this in the legend.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

" Please clarify the meaning of this.

eLife

13) The following statement is unclear: "Although it is clear, from the parameter values of the centroids of each class, that most parameters do not follow a similar evolution during development (CVISI decreases monophasically while AP rise slope and AP amplitude present biphasic changes)." Please clarify the meaning of this.

eLife

Please clarify the current situation.

The New York Times

Please clarify the fairness of such requirements".

The Guardian

Could you please clarify the various formats for digital books?

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "please clarify this", be specific about which point requires clarification to avoid ambiguity. For example, "Please clarify this statement regarding the sample size."

Common error

Avoid using "please clarify this" repeatedly in a single document. Instead, vary your requests with alternatives like "Could you elaborate?" or "Can you provide more details?" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "please clarify this" is an imperative, used to request or instruct someone to provide a clearer explanation. It acts as a direct request, aiming to resolve ambiguity or enhance understanding. Ludwig examples show it used in both formal and scientific contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "please clarify this" is a grammatically correct and commonly used imperative phrase that requests further explanation on a specific point. Ludwig shows that it's most frequently found in scientific and news media contexts. When using the phrase, it's best to be specific about what needs clarification. Alternatives include "could you elaborate" or "can you provide more details", ensuring varied and effective communication. According to Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Can you clarify this point further?

This alternative specifically asks for further clarification on a particular point.

Could you elaborate on this?

This alternative is a more polite and formal way of asking for more information.

Please explain this further

This asks for a more detailed explanation of something.

Can you provide more details?

This alternative focuses on requesting additional specific information.

Explain this in more detail

This option directly asks for a more thorough explanation.

Please, could you be more specific?

This requests a more focused and precise explanation.

What exactly do you mean by this?

This option seeks to understand the intended meaning behind a statement.

I'm not sure I follow, could you clarify?

This indicates a lack of understanding and politely requests clarification.

What is meant by this?

This is a more formal way of asking for the meaning of something.

Could you rephrase this?

This suggests that the original wording is unclear and asks for it to be stated differently.

FAQs

How can I use "please clarify this" in a sentence?

You can use "please clarify this" to politely ask someone to provide more information or explanation about a specific point. For example, "The data seems contradictory; "please clarify this"."

What are some alternatives to saying "please clarify this"?

Alternatives include "could you elaborate", "can you provide more details", or "explain this in more detail". The best choice depends on the specific context and your desired level of formality.

Is "please clarify this" formal or informal?

"Please clarify this" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's appropriate for professional communication, academic writing, and news reporting.

What's the difference between "please clarify this" and "please explain this"?

While similar, "please clarify this" implies that something is already presented but needs further explanation to be understood, while "please explain this" suggests that something is entirely new or unknown and needs a full explanation.