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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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please clearly

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE 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

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

The New Yorker

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

eLife

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.

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

The Guardian

· 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

The Guardian

· 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

The Guardian

If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".ends This article was amended on 1 February 2010.

News & Media

The Guardian

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

The Guardian

· 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

The Guardian

· 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

The Guardian
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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.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

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.

Expression frequency: Rare

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.

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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Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: