Cool MateClarify vs Tell me what's going on
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Clarify
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Tell me what's going on
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Clarify
| Clarify | Tell me what's going on | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈklærəfaɪ/","/ˈklærəfaɪz/","/ˈklærəfaɪd/","/ˈklærəfaɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈklærəfaɪ/","/ˈklærəfaɪz/","/ˈklærəfaɪd/","/ˈklærəfaɪɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //tɛl mi wɒts ˈɡəʊɪŋ ɒn//🇺🇸 //tɛl mi wɑts ˈɡoʊɪŋ ɑn// |
| Meaning | To make something clear or easy to understand. | Ask someone to explain what is happening. |
| Example | I need you to clarify your instructions so that everyone understands the task. | When I walked in, everyone looked confused, so I asked, 'Tell me what's going on.' |
| 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's happening, tell me the news, tell me the update |
| 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 what's going on'., Confusing with 'Tell me what's wrong'., Not using it in a questioning tone. |
| 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. | Used in informal settings to inquire about a situation. Suitable for friends or colleagues but may be too casual for formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Clarify vs Tell me what's going on
What's the difference between Clarify and Tell me what's going on?
Clarify: To make something clear or easy to understand. Tell me what's going on: Ask someone to explain what is happening.
Which is more common: Clarify and Tell me what's going on?
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's going on: When I walked in, everyone looked confused, so I asked, 'Tell me what's going on.'
Can I use Clarify and Tell me what's going on interchangeably?
Not always. Clarify and Tell me what's going on 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.