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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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Clarify on

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clarify on" is not correct or usable in written English
You would need to use the phrase "clarify" or "clarify [something]." For example: "Can you clarify the point you are trying to make?"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

To clarify, on the one hand it was assumed that trust increases euthanasia acceptance, because trust should render fear of abuses less likely.

A rumor that no one could clarify on account of the spotty internet on board.

News & Media

Vice

NS wanted to clarify on that: "No one actually believes that pls... some people are retards but the idea is more nuanced than that when properly expressed".

News & Media

Vice

There are some points that I would like to clarify on your Wal-Mart article.

News & Media

The New York Times

The problem is that articles like this do no clarify, on purpose.

In any case, the team's vice-president, Adriano Galliani, was quick to clarify on Sunday evening that Allegri's position is not in immediate jeopardy.

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Let me clarify one point on that.

Moore clarified on Tuesday that one individual had reportedly been stabbed, but could not identify an attacker.

"Mark that as one score against me, I should've said al Qaeda terrorists," Hunter clarified on the show.

News & Media

Huffington Post

This footnote was clarified on 22 February 2016.

Thirteen patients were clarified on molecular level (46.4%).

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Expert writing Tips

✓ Best practice

Instead of using "clarify on", use the verb "clarify" followed by the specific point you want to clarify. For example, "Can you clarify the budget allocation?" is better than "Can you clarify on the budget allocation?"

⚠ Common error

A frequent mistake is adding the preposition "on" after "clarify". This is grammatically incorrect. Always use "clarify" directly followed by the subject needing clarification, or rephrase to use a different verb.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clarify on" functions as a verb followed by a preposition, intending to introduce the subject needing clarification. However, it's often considered grammatically incorrect as "clarify" typically doesn't require the preposition "on". According to Ludwig AI, the standard usage is simply "clarify".

Expression frequency: Common

✓ Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

32%

Academia

10%

⚠ Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

7%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "clarify on" appears with some frequency, particularly in news and media, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically questionable. A more appropriate and universally accepted approach involves using ""clarify"" directly followed by the subject requiring clarification. Alternatives such as "elaborate on" or "explain further" can also be used depending on the context. It's essential to prioritize grammatical correctness in formal writing, even if the expression is commonly encountered in informal settings. The expert rating reflects this, emphasizing the need for precise language use.

FAQs

How can I use "clarify" correctly in a sentence?

Use "clarify" directly followed by the topic needing clarification. For example, "Could you "clarify" the new policy?"

What's a better alternative to "clarify on"?

Instead of "clarify on", use alternatives like "elaborate on", "explain further", or simply ""clarify"".

Is it grammatically correct to say "clarify on"?

No, "clarify on" is not grammatically correct. The correct usage is simply ""clarify"" followed by the subject you are clarifying.

What is the difference between "clarify" and "elaborate on"?

"Clarify" means to make something clearer or easier to understand. "Elaborate on" means to provide more detail or information about something. You "clarify" something that is already presented but potentially confusing, while you elaborate on something to expand its scope.

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Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: