Cool MateClarify vs Explain vs Make it more clear
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Clarify
Explain
Make it more clear
| Clarify | Explain | Make it more clear | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈklærəfaɪ/","/ˈklærəfaɪz/","/ˈklærəfaɪd/","/ˈklærəfaɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈklærəfaɪ/","/ˈklærəfaɪz/","/ˈklærəfaɪd/","/ˈklærəfaɪɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈspleɪn/","/ɪkˈspleɪnz/","/ɪkˈspleɪnd/","/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈspleɪn/","/ɪkˈspleɪnz/","/ɪkˈspleɪnd/","/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //meɪk ɪt mɔːr klɪə//🇺🇸 //meɪk ɪt mɔːr klɪr// |
| Meaning | To make something clear or easy to understand. | To make something clear or easy to understand. | Make something easier to understand. |
| Example | I need you to clarify your instructions so that everyone understands the task. | Can you explain how this machine works? | Can you please make it more clear what you meant by that? |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | |
| Collocations | fully, exactly, further, attempt to, seek to, try to | 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 | make it clear, make something clear, make it easier to understand |
| Antonyms | confuse, muddle, obscure | confuse, obscure, complicate | - |
| 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 '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 'make it more clearer' - 'clearer' is incorrect here., Omitting 'it' when saying 'make more clear'., Confusing with 'make it clear' which has a slightly different emphasis. |
| 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 '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 this phrase when you want someone to explain or present information in a simpler way. It is suitable for both formal and informal settings, but may feel too blunt in very formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Clarify vs Explain vs Make it more clear
What's the difference between Clarify, Explain, and Make it more clear?
Clarify: To make something clear or easy to understand. Explain: To make something clear or easy to understand. Make it more clear: Make something easier to understand.
Which is more advanced: Clarify, Explain, and Make it more clear?
Clarify is the highest level, at B2, 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. Explain: Can you explain how this machine works? Make it more clear: Can you please make it more clear what you meant by that?
Can I use Clarify, Explain, and Make it more clear interchangeably?
Not always. Clarify, Explain, and Make it more clear 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.