Cool MateClarify vs Tell me why
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Clarify
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Tell me why
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Clarify
| Clarify | Tell me why | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈklærəfaɪ/","/ˈklærəfaɪz/","/ˈklærəfaɪd/","/ˈklærəfaɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈklærəfaɪ/","/ˈklærəfaɪz/","/ˈklærəfaɪd/","/ˈklærəfaɪɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //tɛl mi waɪ//🇺🇸 //tɛl mi waɪ// |
| Meaning | To make something clear or easy to understand. | Ask someone to explain something to you. |
| Example | I need you to clarify your instructions so that everyone understands the task. | Can you tell me why the meeting was canceled? |
| 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 someone why, tell me why not, tell me why this happens |
| 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. | Omitting 'me' and saying just 'Tell why'., Using inappropriately in formal contexts without context., Misplacing the phrase at the end of a sentence. |
| 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 in conversations when seeking an explanation. Suitable in both formal and informal contexts. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Clarify vs Tell me why
What's the difference between Clarify and Tell me why?
Clarify: To make something clear or easy to understand. Tell me why: Ask someone to explain something to you.
Which is more common: Clarify and Tell me why?
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 why: Can you tell me why the meeting was canceled?
Can I use Clarify and Tell me why interchangeably?
Not always. Clarify and Tell me why 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.