required clarification

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "required clarification" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are explaining that further explanation is needed in order to understand something. For example: "The instructions for the project were unclear, so some required clarification."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Still, there were some points that required clarification.

The New Yorker

U.S. officials said they still required clarification on how to meet those criteria.

The New York Times

Whether VW's management should face questions for being overly reliant on a single supplier required clarification, he said.

The Guardian - Business

Mr. Santorum has uttered a string of comments that have leaped out and required clarification and backfilling — including on contraception, college and making English the official language of Puerto Rico – and this may prove to be another.

The New York Times

The process of operationalizing the guideline identified areas in which the guideline was vague, left decisions to clinical judgment, or required clarification of detail to insure safe clinical implementation.

Stanford University

The Justice Department rejected the notion Hong Kong had required clarification about Mr Snowden's middle name - or that it needed his passport number, saying the US had provided to Hong Kong all that was required under the terms of their extradition treaty.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

A few points, however, require clarification.

The New York Times - Arts

One point questioned by Mr. Schmidt requires clarification.

The New York Times

However, the dosage and time of treatment require clarification.

Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior

He also knew that screenwriting is an opaque craft requiring clarification by cameras and actors.

The New Yorker

When a piece of clothing requires clarification, you know you're in trouble.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "required clarification", ensure the context clearly indicates what specifically needs to be clarified. Be precise in identifying the ambiguous element.

Common error

Avoid using "required clarification" without clearly specifying what needs clarification. Instead of saying "The report required clarification", specify "The report required clarification regarding the budget allocation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "required clarification" functions as a verb phrase typically used to indicate that a subject lacks sufficient detail or contains ambiguities. As Ludwig AI indicates, it suggests the need for further explanation to improve understanding, aligning with examples found in both scientific and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

37%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "required clarification" is a useful phrase to indicate a need for further explanation or detail, particularly when something is unclear or ambiguous. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It appears commonly in scientific, news, and academic contexts, making it suitable for a range of writing styles, as shown from the analysis of the multiple examples found. To ensure clarity in your writing, clearly specify what needs clarification when using this phrase. While several alternatives exist, such as "needed further explanation" or "demanded further details", "required clarification" maintains a professional and clear tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

needed further explanation

Focuses on the act of explaining rather than the clarification itself.

demanded further details

Emphasizes a need for specific information rather than a general clearing up of understanding.

necessitated additional information

More formal and emphasizes the necessity of providing extra information.

warranted more specification

Highlights the need for making something more specific.

called for greater precision

Focuses on the need for accuracy and exactness.

lacked sufficient clarity

Shifts the focus to the absence of clarity, implying a need for improvement.

was insufficiently defined

Emphasizes that something was not defined clearly enough.

left room for ambiguity

Highlights the potential for multiple interpretations.

was open to interpretation

Similar to the previous one, but more direct about the possibility of varying understandings.

needed to be elucidated

More formal and emphasizes the need to be made clear and understandable.

FAQs

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

You can use "required clarification" to indicate that something was not clear and needed further explanation. For example, "The instructions for the new software "required clarification" before the team could proceed".

What are some alternatives to using "required clarification"?

Alternatives include "needed further explanation", "demanded further details", or "necessitated additional information", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "required clarification" or "needed clarification"?

Both "required clarification" and "needed clarification" are grammatically correct and usable. The choice often depends on personal preference and the specific context. "Required clarification" may sound slightly more formal.

What does it mean when something "required clarification"?

When something "required clarification", it means that it was not initially clear or understandable and needed further explanation or detail to be fully comprehended. It implies that there was some level of ambiguity or lack of precision that needed to be addressed.