seek to clarify

USAGE SUMMARY

“seek to clarify” is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to explain and make something clearer or easier to understand. For example, "We will seek to clarify the matter further in the coming weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"They [judicial investigations] don't seek to clarify the source of my father's funds, but instead some seek the total defamation of each and every member of my family".

The Guardian

The case is unfolding in this small town just south of Colorado Springs, as other states across the country seek to clarify their policies relating to transgender students.

The New York Times

He also said that he would seek to "clarify" the system through which the armed forces and police cast ballots, another contentious issue.

The New York Times

Somehow the Letters-to-the-Editor page, is one of the chief adornments of the society we love & seek to clarify for the world.

The New Yorker

They argue that the agency's chief, Lisa P. Jackson, could issue regulations that seek to clarify jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act.

The New York Times

An executive order by Mr. Obama could seek to clarify that section, perhaps written to apply only to future presidents to avoid the impression of a power grab.

The New York Times

Nouripour, who is the Green party's spokesperson on foreign affairs, said he intended to make further inquiries with the government and would seek to clarify if Merkel had asked for her NSA file to be destroyed.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Don, Jr., sought to clarify that Thursday.

The New Yorker

Ms. Huang sought to clarify what the hospital was promising.

The New York Times

"He was not secret police," Saramago sought to clarify.

The New York Times

Unfortunately the Vatican later sought to clarify his remarks.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seek to clarify", ensure that the object of clarification is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "The report will seek to clarify the financial implications of the new policy."

Common error

While "seek to clarify" is valid, overuse can make writing sound repetitive. Vary your language with synonyms like "aim to explain" or "attempt to elucidate" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seek to clarify" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose or intent. It's used to indicate an effort to make something more understandable or less ambiguous. As Ludwig explains, it aims to explain and make something clearer.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seek to clarify" is a versatile and commonly used phrase expressing the intention to make something clearer or easier to understand. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s considered grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts. Analysis of real-world examples reveals its frequent use in news, scientific, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "aim to explain" or "attempt to elucidate" exist, varying your language can enhance your writing. Remember to avoid overuse for more naturalness and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aim to explain

Replaces "clarify" with the more general term "explain", making it suitable for broader contexts.

attempt to elucidate

Replaces "seek" with "attempt" and "clarify" with "elucidate", increasing the formality and emphasizing a more detailed explanation.

look to interpret

Focuses on understanding and explaining the meaning of something.

try to illuminate

Substitutes "seek" with "try" and "clarify" with "illuminate", focusing on bringing light to a subject.

aspire to explicate

Uses more formal language, suggesting a detailed and thorough explanation.

strive to define

Emphasizes the effort to establish a clear definition.

endeavor to resolve

Shifts the focus from clarification to problem-solving and resolution.

work to simplify

Focuses on making something less complex rather than just clearer.

undertake to demystify

Implies a more significant effort to remove confusion or mystery.

mean to unravel

Suggests an intention to resolve something complicated or mysterious.

FAQs

How can I use "seek to clarify" in a sentence?

You can use "seek to clarify" to introduce an intention to make something clearer, as in, "The study will seek to clarify the link between diet and health".

What are some alternatives to "seek to clarify"?

Alternatives include "aim to explain", "attempt to elucidate", or "try to illuminate", depending on the context and level of formality you desire.

Is "seek to clarify" formal or informal?

"Seek to clarify" is generally considered neutral to formal. For more informal situations, you might use phrases like "try to explain". For more formal situations, you might use the term "attempt to elucidate".

What's the difference between "seek to clarify" and "seek to rectify"?

"Seek to clarify" means to attempt to make something clearer or easier to understand, while "seek to rectify" means to attempt to correct something that is wrong or mistaken.