sought to clarify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sought to clarify" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating an attempt to make something clearer or to explain a point more thoroughly. Example: "The speaker sought to clarify the main objectives of the project during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Here, we sought to clarify that microglial nodule formation is reactive in early MS white matter.

Acta Neuropathologica

Calipari sought to clarify that he was considerably older than the movie's target audience.

The New York Times

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

Hammond sought to clarify his comments on Twitter.

The Guardian

So in his new letter, he sought to clarify.

The Washington Post

Unfortunately the Vatican later sought to clarify his remarks.

Independent

After her testimony, Ms. Lancaster sought to clarify her remarks with reporters.

The New York Times

An article on Friday in The Jerusalem Post sought to clarify Mr. Obama's stance further.

The New York Times

However, on Tuesday, Arena sought to clarify that he was open to players from all backgrounds.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sought to clarify", ensure that the subsequent explanation or clarification directly addresses the original point of confusion or ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "sought to clarify" in situations where a simpler phrase like "explained" or "stated" would suffice. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sought to clarify" functions as a purpose connector, indicating the reason or intention behind an action. As Ludwig AI explains, it's used when aiming to make something more understandable or to explain a point more thoroughly. Examples from Ludwig show it used in academic research, news reporting, and general explanations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

58%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sought to clarify" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed connector, primarily functioning to introduce an explanation intended to reduce ambiguity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates an attempt to make something clearer. Its usage spans various contexts, from academic research to news reporting, albeit with a leaning towards neutral to formal registers. Alternatives like "tried to elucidate" or "attempted to explain" offer similar meanings, but "sought to clarify" emphasizes the intent to resolve existing confusion. Its prevalence in reputable sources underscores its reliability and utility in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Sought to illuminate

Similar to "aimed to illuminate" but retains the 'sought' structure.

Tried to elucidate

Focuses on making something clear through detailed explanation.

Worked to elucidate

Highlights effort put into bringing forth information

Attempted to explain

Emphasizes the effort made to provide an explanation.

Made an effort to clarify

Focus on effort made to remove the confusion

Aimed to illuminate

Highlights the goal of shedding light on a subject.

Undertook to elucidate

More formal and emphasizes a deliberate effort to clarify.

Set out to clarify

Suggests a planned or intentional approach to clarifying.

Strove to make clear

Emphasizes the effort and struggle involved in achieving clarity.

Endeavored to clarify

Indicates a serious and determined attempt to make something clear.

FAQs

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

You can use "sought to clarify" when you want to emphasize the attempt to make something more understandable. For example, "The scientist "sought to clarify" the complex theory with a simple analogy".

What are some alternatives to "sought to clarify"?

Some alternatives to "sought to clarify" include "tried to elucidate", "attempted to explain", or "aimed to illuminate". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "sought to clarify" formal or informal language?

"Sought to clarify" is considered formal language. It is best used in academic, professional, or news contexts where a degree of formality is appropriate.

What is the difference between "sought to clarify" and "tried to explain"?

"Sought to clarify" emphasizes the intent to remove ambiguity or confusion, while "tried to explain" simply indicates an attempt to convey information. "Sought to clarify" implies that there was something unclear to begin with, while "tried to explain" does not necessarily carry that implication.