to be more explicit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be more explicit" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when you want to say something in a more detailed or precise way. For example, "We need to come up with a plan to increase user engagement. To be more explicit, our goal should be to have users visit our site at least twice a week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Although they generally seem to be more explicit than the inpatient catalogues, the explicitness varies even more than in the inpatient sector (Table  3).

European Journal of Health Economics

Mr. Chen refused to be more explicit.

The New York Times

He had to be more explicit.

The Guardian - Opinion

He was not asked to be more explicit.

The New Yorker

"I've been trying to challenge myself to be more explicit.

The Guardian - Music

"Now with wireless laptops, we've had to be more explicit about expectations," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

You may need to be more explicit about the implications of a point.

The Guardian

President Trump, however, has opened a space where people are emboldened to be more explicit.

The Guardian

And I committed to be more explicit in setting expectations with those I serve.

Harvard Business Review

Personal compacts will need to be more explicit as companies become truly multinational.

Harvard Business Review

On stage, you have to be more explicit about what's happening.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be more explicit" when you need to clarify a point that might be ambiguous or misunderstood. It signals that you are about to provide a more direct or detailed explanation.

Common error

While useful for clarity, avoid using "to be more explicit" too frequently in casual conversation, as it can sound overly formal or even condescending. Consider simpler alternatives like "basically" or "in other words".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be more explicit" functions as an introductory infinitive phrase. It signals an intention to provide a clearer, more detailed, or less ambiguous explanation of a preceding statement. Ludwig shows its versatility across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be more explicit" serves as a valuable tool for enhancing clarity and precision in communication. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various domains, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, remember that while it is generally considered grammatically correct, avoid overusing it in informal settings. Consider related alternatives to ensure conciseness. As demonstrated by the many examples on Ludwig, this phrase is helpful in promoting effective communication by ensuring your message is delivered without ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be more specific

This alternative highlights the act of narrowing down to precise details.

to state more clearly

This emphasizes the act of expressing something in a less ambiguous manner.

to provide more clarity

This focuses on making the information easier to understand.

to clarify further

This suggests making something easier to understand by removing ambiguity.

to articulate more precisely

This alternative emphasizes the skillful expression of the idea with accuracy.

to elaborate further

This alternative focuses on providing more detail, implying a continuation of the current explanation.

to offer a detailed explanation

This focuses on giving a thorough and comprehensive account.

to specify in detail

This alternative emphasizes precision and thoroughness in the explanation.

to put it more plainly

This alternative suggests using simpler language to avoid confusion.

to spell it out

This implies giving a very direct and unambiguous explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "to be more explicit" in a sentence?

You can use "to be more explicit" to introduce a more detailed or clearer explanation of a previous statement. For example, "We need to improve our customer service. "To be more explicit", we need to reduce response times and increase customer satisfaction scores."

What's a good alternative to "to be more explicit"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "to be more specific", "to clarify further", or "to put it more plainly".

When is it appropriate to use "to be more explicit" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "to be more explicit" in formal writing, presentations, or any situation where clear and unambiguous communication is essential. This includes academic papers, business reports, and legal documents.

Is "to be more explicit" the same as "explicitly"?

No, "to be more explicit" is an infinitive phrase used to introduce a clearer explanation, while "explicitly" is an adverb that describes how something is stated. For example, "I need you "to be more explicit" about your concerns" versus "The terms of the agreement were stated "explicitly"."