Cool MateClarify vs Tell me what it is
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Clarify
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Tell me what it is
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Clarify
| Clarify | Tell me what it is | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈklærəfaɪ/","/ˈklærəfaɪz/","/ˈklærəfaɪd/","/ˈklærəfaɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈklærəfaɪ/","/ˈklærəfaɪz/","/ˈklærəfaɪd/","/ˈklærəfaɪɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //tɛl miː wɒt ɪt ɪz//🇺🇸 //tɛl mi wʌt ɪt ɪz// |
| Meaning | To make something clear or easy to understand. | Ask someone to explain something. |
| Example | I need you to clarify your instructions so that everyone understands the task. | When you see that painting, you want to say, 'Tell me what it is.' |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | fully, exactly, further, attempt to, seek to, try to | tell me what it is about, tell me what it is for, tell me what it is then, can you tell me what it is, tell me what it is like |
| 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. | Confused with asking for personal opinions instead of information., Omitting the context for clarity when asking., Using a different tense that sounds awkward. |
| 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 someone to provide information. It's suitable in most situations but may seem informal in very formal contexts. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Clarify vs Tell me what it is
What's the difference between Clarify and Tell me what it is?
Clarify: To make something clear or easy to understand. Tell me what it is: Ask someone to explain something.
Which is more common: Clarify and Tell me what it is?
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. Tell me what it is: When you see that painting, you want to say, 'Tell me what it is.'
Can I use Clarify and Tell me what it is interchangeably?
Not always. Clarify and Tell me what it is 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.