request a clarification

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "request a clarification" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need someone to explain or provide more details about something that is unclear. Example: "If you have any questions about the project, please feel free to request a clarification."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

They may be too intimidated to ask questions or request a clarification.

The New York Times - Health

to request a clarification from Walker on his testimony that the collective-bargaining law wasn't politically motivated.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Banks requested a clarification from the institute.

The New Yorker

In the turmoil after the parliamentary session, American diplomats said they were requesting a "clarification" of the vote.

The New York Times

On that subject, here's a great picture of what piles do to your liver Viv requesting a clarification with James Lawton in the Antigua press box in 1990.

The Guardian - Sport

He said Pakistan requested "a clarification about the content of these talks" several days ago and was waiting for the Indian response.

The New York Times

"For sufferers there is no greater role model than Viv Richards who took a vocal pre-Twitter moron to task for abusing his own suffering from the interminable little beasts by stepping into the crowd at Taunton and requesting a clarification".

The Guardian - Sport

Update: RealEditor has requested a clarification based on some of the comments coming in below.

TechCrunch

The decision strikes a blow to the sharing economy, and comes in response to AirPooler formally requesting a clarification of the gray area it was operating in.

TechCrunch

Asked about the change in the Spanish firm's proposal, which came from Ferrovial's Cintra subsidiary, high-speed rail spokeswoman Lisa Marie Alley said the authority had requested a "clarification" because California officials had never before seen the data submitted by the company.

Los Angeles Times

2) More clearly distinguishing the role of spillover relative to direct transmission and/or validating conclusions made [Reviewer 1, point 4]; The reviewers requested a clarification of the role of spillover versus direct transmission.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "request a clarification" when you need more specific details or explanation about a topic, instruction, or statement. It's suitable for formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "request a clarification" when the issue requires a correction or revision. Clarification seeks to understand something better, not to fix an error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "request a clarification" primarily functions as a performative speech act. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is commonly used to express the need for further explanation or detail regarding a specific topic or statement. It serves to initiate a dialogue aimed at resolving ambiguity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "request a clarification" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to ask for more detailed information. Ludwig AI indicates that it is found in various contexts, including news media, formal business settings, and scientific publications. When using the phrase, ensure that it is appropriate for the context and that you are seeking genuine understanding rather than correction. Alternatives like "seek further explanation" or "ask for detailed explanation" can be used for similar effect. Remember to avoid misusing the phrase in situations that call for a revision or correction instead of a clarification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seek further explanation

Focuses on obtaining a detailed explanation.

ask for detailed explanation

Emphasizes the need for a thorough explanation.

inquire for further details

Highlights the action of asking for more specific information.

solicit more information

Implies a formal request for information.

obtain more specific information

Focuses on getting precise details.

require further elucidation

Uses more formal language to indicate a need for clarification.

press for further information

Indicates a determined effort to get more details.

call for more information

Highlights the need for additional information.

demand further specification

Indicates a firm need for detailed specifications.

wish to clarify

A polite and concise way to express the need for understanding.

FAQs

How do I use "request a clarification" in a sentence?

You can use "request a clarification" when you need someone to explain or provide more details about something that is unclear. For example, "If you have any questions about the project, please feel free to request a clarification."

What can I say instead of "request a clarification"?

You can use alternatives like "seek further explanation", "ask for detailed explanation", or "require further elucidation" depending on the context.

Is it better to "request a clarification" or "ask for clarification"?

"Request a clarification" and "ask for clarification" are both correct and often interchangeable. However, "request a clarification" might be perceived as slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "request a clarification" and "demand a clarification"?

"Request a clarification" is a polite way of asking for more information, while "demand a clarification" implies a more forceful or urgent need for understanding. The choice depends on the context and your relationship with the person you are addressing.