press for clarification

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "press for clarification" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to encourage someone to seek more information or details about a particular topic or statement. Example: "If you don't understand the instructions, please feel free to press for clarification during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Despite repeated requests to Romney from the press for clarification during his other stops campaign stops in South Carolina, he refused.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Her campaign should be pressed for clarification.

The Washington Post

According to the transcript, William M. Brooks, the plaintiffs' lawyer, pressed for clarification.

The New York Times

Pressed for clarification, Donovan said: "I don't think he's always had great talent.

The New York Times

Pressed for clarification over the number of reallies she says "a hundred".

The Guardian

When pressed for clarification of Mr. Reagan's statement, a White House spokesman denied that he was addressing the Federal Reserve.

The New York Times

Pressed for clarification, Roach said that with the way Pacquiao trains, he could box for three more years, up to six times.

The New York Times - Sports

Pressed for clarification Friday as to what made a good shot different than a bad one, Matta said: "I'm like a lot of you.

The New York Times

Pressed for clarification on the secrecy, with his season being over, Vilma referred to Coach Eric Mangini when he added: "That's beyond me.

The New York Times - Sports

When pressed for clarification, Kelly asked who we worked for.

HuffPost

When pressed for clarification, DeVos said she thinks "a school is a sacrosanct place for students to be able to learn, and they should be protected there".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "press for clarification", be sure to phrase your request politely, especially in sensitive situations.

Common error

Avoid using "press for clarification" in casual conversation. Simpler alternatives like "Can you explain that?" or "What do you mean?" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "press for clarification" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of persistently requesting a clearer explanation or more detailed information. As indicated by Ludwig, it’s a valid English construction commonly seen in journalistic contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "press for clarification" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of persistently seeking a clearer explanation. Ludwig confirms its validity and common usage, particularly in news and media contexts. While appropriate for formal and professional settings, it may be too strong for casual conversation. Alternatives such as "request clarification" or "ask for elaboration" may be suitable depending on the specific context. As such, it's essential to be mindful of your audience and context when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request clarification

A direct and formal way of asking for clarification.

seek further details

Emphasizes the desire for more specific information.

ask for elaboration

Focuses on getting a more detailed explanation.

inquire for details

A formal way to ask for more specific information.

probe for more information

Suggests a more investigative approach to seeking details.

demand further explanation

Suggests a more forceful request for clarification.

push for details

Similar to "press", but emphasizes persistence.

solicit clarification

A formal term for requesting clarification.

call for more specifics

Emphasizes the need for concrete details.

elicit further information

Focuses on drawing out more information from someone.

FAQs

What does "press for clarification" mean?

To "press for clarification" means to persistently ask someone to explain something more clearly or provide more details. It implies a need for better understanding of a statement or situation.

How to use "press for clarification" in a sentence?

You can use it when someone is being vague, such as: "The journalist continued to "press for clarification" on the company's financial losses."

What can I say instead of "press for clarification"?

You can use alternatives like "request clarification", "ask for elaboration", or "seek further details" depending on the context.

Is it better to "press for clarification" or "ask for clarification"?

Both are correct, but "press for clarification" implies more persistence or insistence on getting a clear answer, while "ask for clarification" is a more general and neutral request.