Cool MateExplicit vs Make it clear
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Explicit
Top 2,000 (common)C1adjective
Make it clear
Top 2,000 (common)
| Explicit | Make it clear | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈsplɪsɪt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈsplɪsɪt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //meɪk ɪt klɪə//🇺🇸 //meɪk ɪt klɪr// |
| Meaning | Clear and specific, leaving no doubt. | to explain something so it's easy to understand |
| Example | The instructions were explicit, leaving no room for misunderstanding. | I need to make it clear what we expect from you. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, become, make something, extremely, fairly, very, about, as to, be, become, make something, extremely, fairly, very, about, as to, be, become, make something, extremely, fairly, very, about, as to | make it clear to someone, make it abundantly clear, make it crystal clear |
| Antonyms | implicit, vague, ambiguous | confuse, obscure, cloud |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'implicit', which means something that is not directly stated., Incorrectly used in contexts where softer language is more appropriate. | 'Make it clear' used interchangeably with 'make it clear to' without an object., Forgetting to follow it with a clear object (e.g., 'make it clear what')., Confusing 'make it clear' with 'make clear' which is more formal. |
| Usage notes | Use 'explicit' for clarity, especially in formal writing or discussions. Avoid in casual contexts where a softer tone is preferred. | Use this phrase when clarifying information. It's appropriate in both spoken and written communication, but avoid in very formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Explicit vs Make it clear
What's the difference between Explicit and Make it clear?
Explicit: Clear and specific, leaving no doubt. Make it clear: to explain something so it's easy to understand
Can you show an example of each?
Explicit: The instructions were explicit, leaving no room for misunderstanding. Make it clear: I need to make it clear what we expect from you.
Can I use Explicit and Make it clear interchangeably?
Not always. Explicit and Make it 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.