request clarification

USAGE SUMMARY

"request clarification" is a grammatically correct and common phrase used in written English.
It is typically used to politely ask for more information or to clarify something that is unclear. Example: "I am confused about the instructions for this assignment. Could you please provide some clarification on what is expected of us?".

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Another thing that you can do is request clarification.

Cornell University

"Why should we suffer because of politicians?" Moldova's official response has been to request clarification of Russia's concerns about the wine so that they can be addressed quickly, and to ask that any new technical requirements be specified in writing.

The New York Times

"I have been advised by my lawyers to request clarification about carnal interaction in the ABC, prompted by initiatives in federal parliament," Williams wrote in a memo to colleagues.

The Guardian

She told the Associated Press that the Swedish embassy in Washington contacted the State Department on Sunday to request clarification of Trump's remarks and was waiting for an answer.

The Guardian

Under the procedures established by the Presiding Officer, counsel for a witness could not, during the course of interrogation of his client, take exception to, request clarification of, or object to any question, nor could be initiate consultation with his client.

Cornell University

Six Nations Rugby said it would be "writing to the unions to request clarification on what happened in the tunnel".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

We believe that the individual comments by the reviewers do not point to major shortcomings of our methodology but mainly request clarifications of methods and results.

eLife

Telephone calls to the foundation requesting clarification were not answered.

The New York Times

Two spades requested clarification, three clubs showing a heart-club two-suiter.

The New York Times

The Land Trust's board of directors requested clarification and the donors provided it.

The New York Times

He said the government requested clarification from its counterparts in the US on Friday.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Before you "request clarification", re-read the relevant section and formulate a specific question. This demonstrates engagement and saves time.

Common error

Avoid simply stating you "request clarification" without specifying what you need clarified. Vague requests can lead to irrelevant or unhelpful responses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "request clarification" functions as a polite imperative, suggesting or directly asking for additional information or explanation to resolve ambiguity. As Ludwig AI points out, it’s a common phrase used in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "request clarification" is a common and grammatically sound way to ask for further explanation. Ludwig AI confirms its typical use in written English to politely seek more information. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase appears frequently in diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia, reflecting its versatility. When using this phrase, specificity is key to receiving a targeted response. Alternatives such as "ask for details" or "seek a clearer understanding" may be used depending on the nuances of the context. Always aim for clarity and precision in your requests to facilitate effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request further elaboration

Similar, but emphasizes expanding on existing information.

ask for more information

Simple and direct way to request additional information.

ask for details

Focuses on obtaining more specific information.

ask for specifics

Focuses on getting concrete and precise information.

ask for specification

Emphasizes the need for something to be precisely defined.

seek elucidation

Uses a more formal and less common term for clarification.

inquire for further explanation

More verbose; emphasizes the need for a deeper understanding.

solicit further details

Formal and emphasizes the act of prompting or requesting.

seek a clearer understanding

Shifts focus to the desired outcome of clarification.

seek further information

Broader request not necessarily tied to something unclear.

FAQs

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

You can use "request clarification" when you need further explanation on a specific topic. For example: "I didn't understand the new policy, so I will /s/request+clarification".

What's the difference between "request clarification" and /s/request+information?

"Request clarification" is used when something is unclear and needs to be made clearer. "Request information" is a broader term used when you need more general data or details.

What can I say instead of "request clarification"?

You can use alternatives like "ask for details", "seek a clearer understanding", or /s/request+further+elaboration depending on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to "request clarification"?

Yes, it is generally appropriate to "request clarification" whenever something is unclear or confusing. It's a polite way to seek more information and ensure understanding.