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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
please clearly
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "please clearly" is not correct and sounds awkward in written English.
It may be intended to request clarity in communication, but it lacks proper structure. Example: "Could you please clearly explain your point?"
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
4 human-written examples
O.K., look, for the last time, my opinion, you're still a good-lookin' woman with a huge, lovin' heart and you're not hard to please — clearly — but you're dating a fuckin' big-time loser with a head like a actual fuckin' fish!... O.K., like, please, alls I'm gonna say, Ma, when you see him tonight: Take a moment.
News & Media
Please clearly mark your answers by checking the corresponding boxes.
5) In the Abstract and throughout the paper, please clearly specify whether this paper is intended to address the implications of preventive/therapeutic interventions on the fate of a single aberrant clone, or on the fate of an individual patient.
Science
Please clearly define that strain will add incremental value to current routine assessment with TDI in finding out individuals who may develop adverse myocardial fibrosis.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
55 human-written examples
If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".
News & Media
· To contact the MediaGuardian newsdesk email [email protected] or phone 020 7239 9857 · If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".
News & Media
· To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email [email protected] or phone 020 7239 9857 · If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".
News & Media
If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".ends This article was amended on 1 February 2010.
News & Media
Hahahhhaha!'" · To contact the MediaGuardian newsdesk email [email protected] or phone 020 7239 9857 · If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".
News & Media
· To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email [email protected] or phone 020 7239 9857 · If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".
News & Media
· To contact the MediaGuardian newsdesk email [email protected] or phone 020 7239 9857 · If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Avoid using "please clearly" directly. Instead, rephrase your request to be more grammatically sound and natural, such as "please state clearly" or "could you please clarify?".
Common error
Using "please clearly" can sound unnatural and may confuse readers. Opt for more common and idiomatic expressions to ensure your message is easily understood.
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "please clearly" functions as a polite request for something to be done in a clear manner. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, the phrasing is awkward and not grammatically ideal. It attempts to combine a polite marker ("please") with an adverb of manner ("clearly") to modify an implied verb.
Frequent in
Science
50%
News & Media
50%
Formal & Business
0%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "please clearly" is sometimes used, it's generally considered grammatically awkward and not the most natural way to express a request for clarity. As Ludwig AI highlights, this is not considered correct. It's better to opt for alternative phrases like "please clarify", ""state clearly"", or ""explain clearly"" depending on the context to ensure your message is understood without confusion. These alternatives are more idiomatic and maintain a polite tone while emphasizing the need for clarity.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
clearly state
Emphasizes the need for a statement to be unambiguous and easy to understand, removing the direct request.
state clearly
Similar to "clearly state", but with a slightly different emphasis on the act of stating versus the clarity of the statement.
clearly indicate
Focuses on making something evident through signs or signals, not necessarily verbal communication.
indicate clearly
Similar to "clearly indicate", but emphasizing the action of indicating.
explain clearly
Suggests a need for a detailed and easily understandable explanation.
be clear
A more direct imperative to ensure clarity in communication.
make it clear
Similar to "be clear", but with an emphasis on the action of clarifying something.
can you clarify
A question politely asking for clarification.
clarify please
Reorders the request for emphasis or stylistic variation.
if you could clarify
Introduces a conditional element, making the request slightly more polite and indirect.
FAQs
How can I ask for something to be explained well?
Instead of using a potentially awkward phrase, ask someone to "explain clearly", or to "provide a clear explanation".
Is it better to say "please clarify" or "please clearly"?
Please clarify is generally preferred because it is more direct and grammatically correct. "Please clearly" is often considered awkward.
What's a more formal way to ask for clarification?
In a formal setting, you might say "could you please clarify" or "kindly clarify". These phrases are polite and professional.
Are there alternatives to "please clearly" that emphasize directness?
Yes, you can use phrases like "be clear" or "state clearly" to emphasize the need for directness in communication.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested