requesting clarification

USAGE SUMMARY

"requesting clarification" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to politely ask someone to explain something that is not clear or you don't understand. For example, "I'm sorry, I'm not sure I understand. Could you provide me some clarification?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Telephone calls to the foundation requesting clarification were not answered.

The New York Times

(b) An applicant or licensee may submit a petition at any time requesting clarification of the regulatory status required to provide a specific communications service.

Cornell University

The jury sent a four-part note to the judge requesting clarification on what it would take to find the defendant, Lemrick Nelson Jr., guilty of "aiding and abetting" the violation of Yankel Rosenbaum's federal civil rights.

The New York Times

Eleven jurors spent yesterday holed up in a deliberation room debating the fate of Frank P. Quattrone, the former star technology banker, occasionally passing scrawled notes to the judge requesting clarification on the law and copies of testimony and evidence.

The New York Times

In their deliberations, the jurors have sent three notes to the judge requesting clarification on charges, two notes complaining that they were deadlocked and one note asking to see all the exhibits.

The New York Times

Ms. Slatkin recalled receiving a draft of the report from Mr. Calder, making comments requesting clarification, and then returning it either to Mr. Calder or Jay Castillo, the security official who had been allowed to review the four cards.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Villamil and De Guerrero (1996) Requesting advice, advising, responding to advice, eliciting, responding to eliciting, reacting, requesting clarifications, clarifying & restating.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

Zhu (1995) Questioning, requesting clarifications, responding, providing information, eliciting feedback, identifying various problems and clarifying intended meaning.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

Qualitative comments were received on some items, requesting clarifications.

Plosone

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, use "requesting clarification" to politely indicate that you need more information or a clearer explanation. This phrase is particularly useful in professional communications, legal contexts, or academic papers.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice when "requesting clarification". Instead of saying "Clarification is being requested", a direct and active form such as "We are requesting clarification" can be more impactful and concise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "requesting clarification" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as a noun, describing the act of asking for something to be made clearer or more understandable. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "requesting clarification" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for politely seeking more detailed information or a clearer explanation. Ludwig examples show it appears most commonly in News & Media and Science contexts, with a neutral to professional tone. Alternatives like "seeking explanation" or "asking for details" can be used depending on the specific context. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, making it a reliable phrase for formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requesting further details

Directly asks for more specific information, similar to "asking for details".

seeking explanation

Focuses on the act of looking for an explanation, rather than directly asking for clarification.

seeking better understanding

Focuses on the overall goal of achieving a clearer comprehension of the subject.

asking for details

Emphasizes the request for specific information, implying a need for more comprehensive knowledge.

asking to elaborate

Requests someone to provide more details or expand on a previous statement.

inquiring for elucidation

Uses more formal language to describe the act of seeking a clearer understanding.

inquiring about specifics

Focuses on getting precise information about certain aspects of a topic.

seeking further information

Highlights the desire for additional information to gain a complete understanding.

requesting more insight

Seeks a deeper understanding or perspective on a particular issue.

seeking deeper insight

Similar to "requesting more insight", but emphasizes the pursuit of a profound comprehension.

FAQs

How can I use "requesting clarification" in a sentence?

You can use "requesting clarification" to politely ask for more details. For instance, "The HKSAR government has formally written to the U.S. government "requesting clarification" on earlier reports about the hacking of computer systems in Hong Kong by U.S. government agencies."

What are some alternative ways to say "requesting clarification"?

Instead of "requesting clarification", you could use phrases like "seeking explanation", "asking for details", or "inquiring for elucidation" depending on the level of formality required.

Is it better to say "requesting clarification" or "requesting a clarification"?

While both are grammatically correct, "requesting clarification" is generally preferred in formal contexts. "Requesting a clarification" is also acceptable, but it might sound slightly less formal. The choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

When should I use "requesting clarification" versus "demanding clarification"?

Use "requesting clarification" when you want to politely ask for more details or a clearer explanation. Use "demanding clarification" when you believe you are entitled to an explanation and want to assertively obtain it. The appropriate choice depends on your relationship with the person you're addressing and the situation's dynamics.