that clarifies

USAGE SUMMARY

"that clarifies" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it after a sentence to explain or put into clearer terms what was previously mentioned. For example, "He promised to help finish the project before the end of the day, that clarifies the timeline for us."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm about to publish a book that clarifies all these ideas," Fadl told him.

The New Yorker

First, it allows for a scientific approach that clarifies opaque parts of the sales process.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A review that clarifies the similarities, differences, and relationship between aggregates, IBs, and aggresomes.

Stanford University

This is a soul's voice, a viewpoint that clarifies Yunior's interiority, provides emotional honesty in the face of his deceits.

The Guardian - Books

This has now been addressed with a clear cascade plan that clarifies who should be reviewed by whom.

The Guardian

"It's about the journey and the arrival," he said, "about architecture that clarifies how you move through a space".

The New York Times - Arts

Libya would then need a constitution that clarifies lines of command for the military and decentralizes power to municipal governments.

The New York Times

But there is more in the history of Watergate that clarifies the potentially disastrous role that Barr is playing.

The New Yorker

The performances, too, are writ large, filled with demonic energy that clarifies both the humor and horror in the script.

The New York Times

Benchmark: Uses descriptive language that clarifies and enhances ideas Language Arts Standard 4- Gathers and uses information for research purposes.

The New York Times

that clarifies or complements the answer Before the end of class, have students share the results of their initial investigations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that clarifies", ensure the clarifying information directly follows the original statement to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid separating "that clarifies" too far from the original statement; this can confuse readers about which part is being explained.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that clarifies" functions as a relative clause, providing additional information to specify or explain the preceding noun or noun phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a standard and acceptable grammatical structure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that clarifies" is a common and grammatically sound relative clause used to provide explanatory information. As Ludwig AI points out, it’s applicable in a range of writing styles and contexts, primarily in News & Media, Science, and Academia. The phrase serves to enhance understanding by elaborating on a preceding statement. When using "that clarifies", ensure that it closely follows the idea it is intended to explain for maximum clarity. While highly versatile, it is always best to ensure it improves, not obscures, the surrounding content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that makes explicit

This option shifts the focus to making something overtly clear and detailed.

which elucidates

This alternative uses a more formal verb to indicate the action of making something clear.

which illuminates

This phrase uses a metaphor to suggest the removal of obscurity, similar to clarifying.

that illustrates

This alternative indicates the use of examples to provide understanding.

that simplifies

This alternative emphasizes the action of reducing complexity for better understanding.

that puts in perspective

This suggests the phrase is helping to give a broader understanding or relative view.

that defines

This emphasizes giving a precise meaning, which aids in understanding.

which details

This option describes in detail the subject, which results in clarification.

that details

This focuses on providing specific information that adds to understanding.

that expounds on

A more formal way to express expansion on a topic for the purpose of clarification.

FAQs

How to use "that clarifies" in a sentence?

Use "that clarifies" to introduce a clause that provides further explanation or makes something easier to understand. For example, "The new policy includes a section "that clarifies" the guidelines for employee conduct."

What can I say instead of "that clarifies"?

You can use alternatives like "which elucidates", "that makes explicit", or "which illuminates" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "that clarifies" at the beginning of a sentence?

No, "that clarifies" is a relative clause that typically follows the statement it's clarifying. It's not suitable to begin a sentence with this phrase.

What's the difference between "that clarifies" and "that explains"?

"That clarifies" implies making something clearer or easier to understand, while "that explains" simply means giving a reason or cause. Clarifying focuses on removing confusion, while explaining focuses on providing information.