Cool MateClarify vs Could you be slightly more specific vs Elaborate vs Explain vs Specify
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Clarify
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Could you be slightly more specific
Top 2,000 (common)
Elaborate
Top 2,000 (common)C1adjective
Explain
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Specify
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
| Clarify | Could you be slightly more specific | Elaborate | Explain | Specify | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈklærəfaɪ/","/ˈklærəfaɪz/","/ˈklærəfaɪd/","/ˈklærəfaɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈklærəfaɪ/","/ˈklærəfaɪz/","/ˈklærəfaɪd/","/ˈklærəfaɪɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //kəd juː biː ˈslaɪtli mɔː sɪˈspɛɪfɪk//🇺🇸 //kəd ju bi ˈslaɪtli mɔr spəˈsɪfɪk// | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪˈlæbərət/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪˈlæbərət/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈspleɪn/","/ɪkˈspleɪnz/","/ɪkˈspleɪnd/","/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈspleɪn/","/ɪkˈspleɪnz/","/ɪkˈspleɪnd/","/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈspesɪfaɪ/","/ˈspesɪfaɪz/","/ˈspesɪfaɪd/","/ˈspesɪfaɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈspesɪfaɪ/","/ˈspesɪfaɪz/","/ˈspesɪfaɪd/","/ˈspesɪfaɪɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To make something clear or easy to understand. | Can you give a clearer or more detailed answer? | To explain something in detail. | To make something clear or easy to understand. | To say exactly what you mean. |
| Example | I need you to clarify your instructions so that everyone understands the task. | Could you be slightly more specific about the project's timeline? | elaborate designs | Can you explain how this machine works? | Remember to specify your size when ordering clothes. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - | C1 | A1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | adjective | verb | verb | |
| Collocations | fully, exactly, further, attempt to, seek to, try to | be specific about, more specific details, specific instructions, specific examples, specific timeframe | be, look, seem, extremely, fairly, very | in detail, fully, adequately, be able to, be unable to, can, about, to, explain everything, go a long way, some way, etc. towards/toward explaining something, in detail, fully, adequately, be able to, be unable to, can, about, to, explain everything, go a long way, some way, etc. towards/toward explaining something | clearly, fully, carefully, allow somebody to, require somebody to, be difficult to |
| Antonyms | confuse, muddle, obscure | - | simplify, condense, abridge | confuse, obscure, complicate | vague, generalize |
| Common mistakes | 'Clear' is sometimes incorrectly used instead of 'clarify.', Confusing 'clarify' with 'intensify' because they sound similar., Using 'clarify' as a noun instead of a verb. | Using 'specific' without 'more' can sound abrupt., Adding unnecessary words makes it less direct., Assuming the speaker understands your request without asking first. | Confused with 'elaborate' as a noun instead of a verb., Using it incorrectly by saying 'elaborate on it is' instead of 'elaborate on'., Overusing in informal contexts where simpler language would be better. | Using 'explain' without an object, e.g., 'I will explain' instead of 'I will explain the concept.', Confusing 'explain' with 'describe' – 'explain' is about making something clear, while 'describe' is about detailing., Misusing the tense, e.g., saying 'I explained' when referring to a future action. | Using 'specification' instead of 'specify'., Confusing 'specify' with 'identify'., Omitting the object when using 'specify'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'clarify' when you want to make something more understandable. It's appropriate in both written and spoken contexts. Avoid using it in very casual conversations where simpler words would suffice. | Use this phrase when asking someone to clarify or elaborate. It's polite and suitable for formal and casual contexts. | Use 'elaborate' when asking for more information or details about a topic. It's appropriate for formal discussions but can also be used informally. Avoid using it in casual conversations where simpler words suffice. | Use 'explain' when you want to clarify or make something easier to understand. It's appropriate in both speaking and writing, but avoid using it in highly formal contexts where more technical terms might be preferred. | Use 'specify' when you want to give detailed information. It's appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, especially in formal situations. Avoid in very casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Clarify vs Could you be slightly more specific vs Elaborate vs Explain vs Specify
What's the difference between Clarify, Could you be slightly more specific, Elaborate, Explain, and Specify?
Clarify: To make something clear or easy to understand. Could you be slightly more specific: Can you give a clearer or more detailed answer? Elaborate: To explain something in detail. Explain: To make something clear or easy to understand. Specify: To say exactly what you mean.
Which is more advanced: Clarify, Could you be slightly more specific, Elaborate, Explain, and Specify?
Elaborate is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Clarify: I need you to clarify your instructions so that everyone understands the task. Could you be slightly more specific: Could you be slightly more specific about the project's timeline? Elaborate: elaborate designs Explain: Can you explain how this machine works? Specify: Remember to specify your size when ordering clothes.
Can I use Clarify, Could you be slightly more specific, Elaborate, Explain, and Specify interchangeably?
Not always. Clarify, Could you be slightly more specific, Elaborate, Explain, and Specify are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.