Making a point clearer

The idea

Use clarify with a point or question, or with a clause such as what you mean. The past form is clarified.

Examples

• Could you clarify what you mean by the final step?
• The guide clarified the meeting point before we left.
• A short diagram can clarify how the system works.
• Mina sent an email to clarify the deadline.
• The teacher asked Leo to clarify his question.
• Let me clarify: the tickets are free, but booking is required.

Watch out

Do not say clarify about the deadline: the thing made clear can follow the verb directly.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the correct answer. Could you ___ the second instruction? (clarify / clarifies)

   Show answer or example answer

   clarify

   clarify follows the modal could in its base form.

2. Choose the correct answer. The manager ___ the policy yesterday. (clarified / clarifies)

   Show answer or example answer

   clarified

   clarified places the completed action yesterday.

3. Choose the correct answer. Please clarify ___ the payment is due. (when / to when)

   Show answer or example answer

   when

   when introduces the indirect question about the due date.

Use it today

Ask a colleague to make an unclear instruction clearer, then clarify a detail yourself.