writing to clarify

USAGE SUMMARY

"writing to clarify" is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
It can be used anytime you are trying to clearly explain something, usually in a written format (for example, an email or letter). For example, "I am writing to clarify any confusion regarding the meeting times for this week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

I'm writing to clarify Environmental Advocates of New York's position regarding industrial gas drilling by means of fracking.

The New York Times

I am writing to clarify a comment I made in your Dec. 3 article about "Hair" moving to Broadway Broadwayay Gets 'Hair'; 'Hair' Gets New Deal," Arts pages).

The New York Times

To the Editor: As researchers working to make voluntary adult male circumcision safer and more widely available for H.I.V. prevention, we are writing to clarify information about the safety and benefits of the Shang Ring.

The New York Times - Health

I think she was writing to clarify things for herself, and for other people.

Vice

In the early 1930s, Hogg worked on a collection of her father's papers and speeches with his biographer, historian Robert C. Cotner; she became a guardian of his place in history, often writing to clarify or refute articles published about her father.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

In a statement released on his official website, he wrote: "To clarify recent speculation, the labrador that appeared in Series One (1912-14) was a dog called Pharaoh.

Independent

"First we were told that there had been no breaches of hygiene regulations, then the FSA writes to clarify that a breach of hygiene regulations did in fact take place, but that no enforcement action will be taken," he said.

The Guardian

MY COLLEAGUE at Democracy in America writes to clarify his view of an aggressive American approach to China's renminbi policy, and I still am struggling to see things his way.

The Economist

The decision upholds legislation passed by Congress last autumn that was written to clarify the law, but the issue may end up yet again in the Supreme Court.The Democrats failed to break a Republican filibuster in the Senate that would have allowed a vote on a resolution criticising George Bush's policy in Iraq.

The Economist

Update: AT&T has written to clarify that any customer with a previous contract can choose to keep it even after upgrading to a new device, so I've updated some of the wording there.

TechCrunch

President Cullerton's office wrote to clarify: "The $430 million was reprioritized spending, not additional spending," Cullerton's deputy press secretary John Patterson wrote.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "writing to clarify," be direct and concise in your explanation. Avoid adding unnecessary details that could obscure the main point you're trying to clarify.

Common error

Avoid providing too much background information when "writing to clarify". Focus solely on the specific point needing clarification to prevent creating further confusion for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "writing to clarify" functions as an introductory phrase indicating the purpose of the communication. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used to explicitly state an intent to elucidate a specific point.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "writing to clarify" is a useful introductory phrase that explicitly signals the intention to make something clearer in written communication. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage. While appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, it's crucial to use it judiciously, focusing on directness and conciseness to avoid unnecessary complexity. Consider alternatives like "writing to explain" or "writing to elucidate" to fine-tune the nuance of your message. Remember to avoid over-explaining, as this can inadvertently create further confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

writing to explain

Replaces "clarify" with the more general term "explain".

writing to elucidate

Uses a more formal synonym, "elucidate", for "clarify".

writing to specify

Emphasizes making something more specific rather than just clearer.

writing to detail

Focuses on providing more details for better understanding.

writing to define

Highlights the act of setting out a clear definition.

writing to illustrate

Uses examples to make something clearer.

writing to demonstrate

Focuses on showing or proving something clearly through writing.

writing to interpret

Centers on providing an understanding of something not easily understood.

writing to shed light on

A more figurative way of saying "to clarify".

writing to expound on

Expound means to present and explain (a theory or idea) systematically and in detail.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "writing to clarify" in a sentence?

Start by stating that you are "writing to clarify", then immediately follow with the specific point you intend to make clearer. For example, "I am writing to clarify the project deadlines."

What are some alternatives to "writing to clarify" that I can use?

You can use alternatives like "writing to explain", "writing to elucidate", or "writing to specify" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "writing to clarify" in both formal and informal contexts?

Yes, "writing to clarify" is generally acceptable in both formal and informal writing. However, for very formal contexts, consider using more sophisticated synonyms like "writing to elucidate".

When should I avoid using "writing to clarify"?

Avoid using "writing to clarify" if the information you are presenting is already clear and concise. Using the phrase in such cases can seem redundant and may weaken your writing.