to be clarify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'to be clarify' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to make a statement more clear or precise. For example, "We cannot give a definite answer to this question until more information has been provided - to be clarify, we need to know the exact dimensions of the product."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Update: Just to be clarify, I've just been told that the new company page is only launching for a select group of businesses today.

TechCrunch

But unless you want it to be, clarify at the outset that the handbook contains policies, and does not serve as a contract.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I find it to be clarifying.

The New York Times

The rules need to be clarified.

The Economist

His comments need to be clarified.

The New York Times

These questions remain to be clarified.

Journal of Structural Biology

Even so, the contradiction needs to be clarified.

The New York Times - Arts

THE designation "fabric artist" leaves much to be clarified.

The New York Times

Bo now faces "discipline violations," to be clarified later.

The New Yorker

"Certain things have to be clarified" Mr. Gissin said.

The New York Times

If so, however, two things would have to be clarified.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always ensure the verb 'to be' is followed by a past participle (clarified) or an adjective (clear). Using the base form 'clarify' directly after 'to be' results in grammatically incorrect phrasing.

Common error

Avoid using the base form of a verb directly after "to be" when intending a passive or infinitive construction. Instead, use the past participle (e.g., "to be clarified") for passive voice or revise the sentence to use a different structure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be clarify" attempts to function as an infinitive phrase, often intended to express a need for further explanation or detailing. However, it fails grammatically. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered incorrect. The correct form would be "to clarify" or "to be clarified."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be clarify" is grammatically incorrect. As highlighted by Ludwig, while the intent is often understood, it should be avoided in formal writing and speech. The correct alternatives include ""to clarify"" or ""to be clarified"", depending on the intended meaning. Although sources mentioning the phrase exist, its infrequency and grammatical issues make it a poor choice for effective communication. Be aware of the difference between active and passive voice and choose the structure that reflects your intent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to clarify

Removes the unnecessary "be", resulting in a grammatically correct infinitive phrase.

for clarification

Changes the phrase to a prepositional phrase indicating the purpose of clarification.

to make clear

Replaces "clarify" with the phrasal verb "make clear", offering a synonym with a similar meaning.

to elucidate

Substitutes "clarify" with the more formal synonym "elucidate", suitable for academic or formal contexts.

in order to clarify

Adds "in order to" to explicitly state the purpose of the clarification.

to provide clarification

Uses the noun form of clarification with the verb "provide" for a more formal tone.

for the sake of clarity

Uses a prepositional phrase to emphasize the importance of clarity.

by way of clarification

Introduces clarification as a separate, distinct point.

to offer a clearer explanation

Provides a more detailed and descriptive alternative to simply "clarify".

to put it more clearly

Focuses on rephrasing something in a more understandable manner.

FAQs

How can I use "to be clarified" correctly in a sentence?

Use "to be clarified" when you want to indicate that something needs further explanation. For example, "The details of the agreement are "to be clarified" in the upcoming meeting".

What's a more appropriate alternative to "to be clarify"?

A more appropriate alternative is "to clarify", which is the infinitive form of the verb. For example, "We need "to clarify" the instructions before proceeding".

Is there a difference between "to be clarified" and "to clarify"?

Yes. "To clarify" is an infinitive indicating an action you will take. "To be clarified" is a passive construction, suggesting something will be clarified by someone or something else. Choose based on whether you want to emphasize the action or the object of the action.

When should I use "for clarification" instead of "to be clarify"?

Use "for clarification" when you're indicating the purpose of something. For example, "These notes are "for clarification" purposes only." The phrase "to be clarify" is grammatically incorrect.