Cool MateClarify vs Make it clear anyway
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Clarify
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Make it clear anyway
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Clarify
| Clarify | Make it clear anyway | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈklærəfaɪ/","/ˈklærəfaɪz/","/ˈklærəfaɪd/","/ˈklærəfaɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈklærəfaɪ/","/ˈklærəfaɪz/","/ˈklærəfaɪd/","/ˈklærəfaɪɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //meɪk ɪt klɪə ˈɛnɪweɪ//🇺🇸 //meɪk ɪt klɪr ˈɛn.iˌweɪ// |
| Meaning | To make something clear or easy to understand. | Say something so it's easily understood. |
| Example | I need you to clarify your instructions so that everyone understands the task. | We need to make it clear anyway that our policy won’t change. |
| 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 it clear, to make it clear, make clear statements |
| 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. | Misuse 'clear' as a noun instead of an adjective., Confuse with phrases like 'make it obvious'., Forget to use 'anyway' when intended meaning is to insist. |
| 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 you want to emphasize clarity despite challenges. It's suitable for informal and formal conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Clarify vs Make it clear anyway
What's the difference between Clarify and Make it clear anyway?
Clarify: To make something clear or easy to understand. Make it clear anyway: Say something so it's easily understood.
Which is more common: Clarify and Make it clear anyway?
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. Make it clear anyway: We need to make it clear anyway that our policy won’t change.
Can I use Clarify and Make it clear anyway interchangeably?
Not always. Clarify and Make it clear anyway 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.