seeking clarification

USAGE SUMMARY

"seeking clarification" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used when asking someone to explain something that you didn't understand. For example, "I didn't understand what you meant by that statement. Could you please provide some clarification?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I am seeking clarification.

The Washington Post

"We are seeking clarification from him".

The Guardian - Sport

Russia is seeking clarification about what exactly the prince said.

The Guardian

Numerous telephone calls to Lincare seeking clarification were not returned.

The New York Times

Additional calls to O&G seeking clarification were not returned.

The New York Times

"The league has written to the club seeking clarification.

The Guardian - Sport

We are urgently seeking clarification from the British authorities".

The Guardian

But Wall Street is now seeking clarification — and further exemptions.

The New York Times

The Independent is seeking clarification from Germanwings about its policy.

Independent

Saudi Aramco did not return a request seeking clarification.

The New York Times

A follow-up email seeking clarification went unanswered.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seeking clarification", be specific about what you need clarified. Instead of saying "I am seeking clarification", specify, "I am seeking clarification on the project's timeline".

Common error

Avoid using "seeking clarification" without specifying what you want clarified. A vague request may lead to unhelpful or incomplete responses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seeking clarification" functions as a verbal phrase often acting as part of a larger clause. It indicates an action of requesting further explanation or detail to resolve ambiguity. According to Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

14%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seeking clarification" is a very common and grammatically correct verbal phrase used to express the need for further explanation or detail. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable phrase in written English. It is frequently found in News & Media, Academic, and Formal & Business contexts. When using the phrase, it's crucial to specify what needs clarification to avoid vague requests. Alternatives include "requesting clarification" and "seeking detail". The phrase generally maintains a neutral to professional tone, making it suitable for various formal and informal communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

requesting clarification

Uses the verb "requesting" instead of "seeking", implying a more direct request.

clarification needed

A shorter, more direct way of stating the need for clarification.

desiring clarification

Replaces "seeking" with "desiring", suggesting a wish for clarity.

pursuing clarity

Emphasizes the active effort to achieve a clear understanding.

seeking detail

Focuses on obtaining more specific information, rather than just general understanding.

asking for further information

Uses a more explicit request for additional details.

seeking specificity

Highlights the need for precise and unambiguous information.

inquiring for details

Involves a formal inquiry to get more specific information.

probing for explanations

Suggests a thorough investigation to uncover the underlying reasons.

investigating the specifics

Focuses on a detailed examination of particular aspects.

FAQs

What does "seeking clarification" mean?

"Seeking clarification" means asking for more information or explanation to understand something better. It implies a need for greater clarity or detail.

How to use "seeking clarification" in a sentence?

You can use "seeking clarification" like this: "We are "seeking clarification" on the new policy before implementing it."

What can I say instead of "seeking clarification"?

You can use alternatives like "requesting clarification", "seeking detail", or "desiring clarification" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "seeking clarification"?

It's appropriate to use "seeking clarification" when you need more information or a better understanding of a particular topic, statement, or situation. It's often used in formal or professional contexts.