request for clarification

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "request for clarification" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you need further explanation or details about something that is unclear. Example: "I would like to submit a request for clarification regarding the project deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Snoop Dogg did not respond to a request for clarification).

The New York Times - Magazine

(The artist's manager did not return a request for clarification).

The Guardian - Music

(The prosecutor's office did not respond to a request for clarification).

The Guardian

St Louis County police did not respond to a further request for clarification from the Guardian.

The Guardian

Tata Steel did not respond immediately to the Guardian's request for clarification.

The Guardian

A request for clarification came during a news conference the next day.

The New York Times

A spokeswoman did not respond to a request for clarification on Saturday about Trump's comments.

The Guardian

Neither company had responded to a request for clarification by the time of publication.

The Guardian - Tech

A spokesperson for Nunes did not reply to the Guardian's request for clarification by press time.

The Guardian

(The pollster's office did not respond to my request for clarification).

The New York Times - Magazine

Representatives for Trump did not immediately respond to a request for clarification.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "request for clarification", be specific about the aspect you need clarified. Vague requests can lead to unhelpful or incomplete responses.

Common error

Avoid making a "request for clarification" without specifying what needs clarifying. A vague request can lead to ambiguity and delay the process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "request for clarification" functions as a noun phrase. Based on Ludwig AI, it is frequently used to formally initiate a query for further explanation or details, typically in professional or official contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "request for clarification" is a frequently used noun phrase to formally ask for additional details or explanations, predominantly within news, scientific, and business contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and serves the purpose of resolving ambiguities and gaining a better understanding. While alternatives such as "seeking clarification" or "inquiry for clarification" offer subtle differences in tone and formality, the key is to ensure specificity in your request to avoid vague responses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Seeking clarification

Emphasizes the action of seeking rather than the formal request.

Inquiry for clarification

Highlights the act of questioning for the sake of clarification.

Requesting further information

A more formal equivalent, placing emphasis on the "request" aspect.

Seeking further details

Focuses on obtaining more detailed information.

Seeking explanation

Highlights the desire for an explanation about something.

Asking for details

A more informal way of requesting specific information.

Seeking additional information

Emphasizes the need for more information to be provided.

Asking for an explanation

Directly asks for an explanation, slightly more informal.

Need for further elaboration

Expresses the necessity for more detailed explanation.

Seeking more precise information

Focuses on the precision and accuracy of the information needed.

FAQs

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

You can use "request for clarification" in sentences like, "I am sending a "request for clarification" regarding the new policy" or "The lawyer submitted a "request for clarification" on the judge's ruling".

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

"Request for clarification" is a polite inquiry for more details. "Demand for clarification" /s/demand+for+clarification implies a stronger, more assertive need for explanation, often when something is perceived as deliberately unclear.

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

You can use alternatives like "seeking clarification", "inquiry for clarification", or "seeking further details" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to make a "request for clarification"?

It's appropriate when you encounter ambiguity, inconsistency, or missing information that hinders your understanding or ability to proceed with a task or decision.