Clarify vs Let me make something abundantly clear
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Clarify
Let me make something abundantly clear
| Clarify | Let me make something abundantly clear | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈklærəfaɪ/","/ˈklærəfaɪz/","/ˈklærəfaɪd/","/ˈklærəfaɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈklærəfaɪ/","/ˈklærəfaɪz/","/ˈklærəfaɪd/","/ˈklærəfaɪɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //lɛt mi meɪk ˈsʌmθɪŋ əˈbʌndəntli klɪə//🇺🇸 //lɛt mi meɪk ˈsʌmθɪŋ əˈbʌndəntli klɪr// |
| Meaning | To make something clear or easy to understand. | I want to explain something very clearly. |
| Example | I need you to clarify your instructions so that everyone understands the task. | Let me make something abundantly clear: we will not tolerate any form of disrespect. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | fully, exactly, further, attempt to, seek to, try to | make something clear, abundantly clear, let me clarify, emphasize something, stress the importance |
| Antonyms | confuse, muddle, obscure | - |
| 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. | Incorrectly using 'abundantly' in a casual context., Confusing with similar phrases that don't convey the same emphasis., Using it without the appropriate context may sound overly dramatic. |
| 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 in conversations or writing when you want to emphasize the clarity of your point. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but avoid it in highly casual settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Clarify vs Let me make something abundantly clear
What's the difference between Clarify and Let me make something abundantly clear?
Clarify: To make something clear or easy to understand. Let me make something abundantly clear: I want to explain something very clearly.
Which is more common: Clarify and Let me make something abundantly clear?
Clarify is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Clarify: I need you to clarify your instructions so that everyone understands the task. Let me make something abundantly clear: Let me make something abundantly clear: we will not tolerate any form of disrespect.
Can I use Clarify and Let me make something abundantly clear interchangeably?
Not always. Clarify and Let me make something abundantly 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.