request for outright clarification

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "request for outright clarification" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you are seeking a clear and direct explanation or understanding of a particular issue or statement. Example: "In order to proceed with the project, I would like to submit a request for outright clarification regarding the budget allocations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Representatives of Day and Spieth did not respond to the Guardian's request for outright clarification regarding Olympic status, with both believed to be wavering.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Saudis have been pondering his request for outright armed intervention.

The Economist

But last year, after a request for a clarification by Captain Rubin, an F.A.A. lawyer said this was a violation.

The New York Times

Utterly perplexed, Linn sent out yet another email with a request for further clarification.

Huffington Post

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

The New York Times - Magazine

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

The Guardian

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

The Guardian

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

The Guardian - Music

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

The Guardian

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "request for outright clarification", ensure the context warrants a direct and unambiguous explanation. This phrase is most effective when addressing potential misunderstandings or disputes.

Common error

Avoid using "request for outright clarification" in informal settings where a simple question would suffice. Overly formal language can create unnecessary distance or appear overly demanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "request for outright clarification" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the object of a verb (e.g., 'submit', 'make', 'file'). As Ludwig explains, it is used to express the act of formally seeking a clear and unambiguous explanation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "request for outright clarification" is a grammatically sound and usable expression employed when a direct and unambiguous explanation is needed. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, its usage is relatively infrequent, primarily appearing in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. To achieve a similar effect, alternatives such as "seek explicit clarification" or "demand absolute clarity" can be considered. When using this phrase, ensure the context warrants the formality, as simpler requests may suffice in more informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seek explicit clarification

Replaces "outright" with "explicit", emphasizing directness but with a slightly more formal tone.

ask for a precise clarification

Highlights the need for accuracy and detail in the clarification, using "precise" to modify "clarification".

ask for a definitive explanation

Substitutes "clarification" with "explanation" and adds "definitive" to highlight the need for a conclusive answer.

require unequivocal clarification

Replaces "outright" with "unequivocal", stressing the need for an unambiguous explanation.

request a complete explanation

Emphasizes the thoroughness of the explanation needed by using "complete" instead of "outright".

demand absolute clarity

Uses "demand" instead of "request", indicating a stronger need, and replaces "outright clarification" with "absolute clarity".

demand a straight explanation

Uses "demand" to show insistence and "straight explanation" for a direct and uncomplicated answer.

seek a clear and unambiguous answer

Focuses on the result of the request by specifying a "clear and unambiguous answer", rather than the process of clarification.

seek a transparent explanation

Stresses the need for openness and honesty in the explanation, by using the word "transparent".

require immediate clarification

Focuses on the urgency of the request using the word "immediate".

FAQs

What does "request for outright clarification" mean?

It means to ask for a clear, direct, and unambiguous explanation of something. It implies that a simple explanation is not sufficient and that complete clarity is needed.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "request for outright clarification"?

This phrase is suitable when seeking a definitive answer to avoid any potential misunderstanding, especially in formal or professional contexts. For example, you might "seek explicit clarification" when dealing with legal documents or complex instructions.

Are there less formal alternatives to "request for outright clarification"?

Yes, in less formal settings, you could simply "ask for details", "ask for more information", or "ask for an explanation". The choice depends on the specific context and the relationship with the person you are addressing.

How is "request for outright clarification" different from "request for clarification"?

Adding "outright" emphasizes the need for a completely unambiguous and direct explanation. A general "request for clarification" might suffice for simple inquiries, but "request for outright clarification" underscores that a simple explanation is insufficient and a comprehensive understanding is necessary.