to offer clarification

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to offer clarification" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to explain or make something clearer to someone. Example: "In response to the confusion regarding the project timeline, I would like to offer clarification on the deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But, once the news conference ended, the candidate's press secretary, Joe DePlasco, swiftly set out to offer clarification.

The New York Times

Up to two additional investigators participating in this study may take part in the open meetings to offer clarification of events, but will not be given voting privileges.

European Journal of Heart Failure

Following the enactment of the new constitution, no new legislation has been made to offer clarification and provide guidance on the operationalization on what the new legislation in the constitutions seeks to achieve.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The interviewers provided no clues to questions except to offer clarifications where necessary.

BMC Public Health

Thus, in a small group interaction, a teacher might notice that a student uses a seesawing gesture to characterize what is, in fact, a positive feedback system and then offer clarification.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

First, we offer clarification of how complex problems emerge and face policymaking.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Comparative analyses of those complete cpDNA sequences not only highlight considerable differences at the organizational level, but also offer clarification of the evolutionary relationships among the main groups of algae and higher plants [3] [6].

Plosone

Assessing the normality of the residuals does not offer clarification of this fitting issue, as the distribution of residuals fails normality testing even for a single-exponential fit of 100,000 simulated bout durations drawn from a single exponential distribution (not shown).

Plosone

Unfortunately, the definition in the Hospital Bed Standards does not offer clarification.

BMC Health Services Research

He added: But I need to offer a clarification.

The New Yorker

I'm compelled, however, to offer a clarification.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "to offer clarification", ensure that the clarification directly addresses a specific point of confusion or ambiguity. Be precise and avoid introducing new complexities.

Common error

Avoid using "to offer clarification" without a clear indication of what requires clarification. Ensure that the clarification is targeted and not a generic restatement of existing information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to offer clarification" primarily functions as an infinitive phrase indicating the purpose of an action. It is used to introduce an explanation or further detail intended to remove ambiguity or confusion. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to offer clarification" is a grammatically correct and professionally appropriate phrase used to introduce additional information that aims to resolve ambiguity. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English, though it appears with moderate frequency in news, science, and formal business contexts. To ensure clarity, it's important to specifically identify the point of confusion when using this phrase and provide a targeted explanation. Alternatives like "to provide elucidation" or "to give an explanation" may be used depending on the context. Given its register and purpose, the phrase is a useful tool for ensuring clear communication in professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to offer details

Replaces "clarification" with the more direct "details".

to provide elucidation

Uses a more formal and literary term ("elucidation") for clarification.

to explain further

Emphasizes the act of further explaining a topic.

to give an explanation

Emphasizes the act of explaining, offering a rationale or reason.

to shed light on

Figurative language, implying revealing or making something clearer.

to furnish details

Focuses on providing specific, granular information.

to present a rationale

Highlights the reasoning or logical basis behind something.

to supply background

Focuses on delivering introductory or contextual information.

to expand upon

Suggests developing or elaborating on existing information.

to give context

Focuses on providing background information.

FAQs

How can I use "to offer clarification" in a sentence?

You can use "to offer clarification" when you want to provide more details or make something easier to understand. For example, "I would like to offer clarification on the project's goals".

What are some alternatives to "to offer clarification"?

Alternatives include "to provide elucidation", "to give an explanation", or "to shed light on", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "to offer clarification" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "to offer clarification" when you need to address ambiguity or confusion, ensuring the audience has a clear understanding of the topic.

What's the difference between "to offer clarification" and "to provide clarification"?

The phrases "to offer clarification" and "to provide clarification" are largely interchangeable. The choice often comes down to personal preference or stylistic variation.