Clarify vs Explain

Quand utiliser chacun en anglais, avec le sens, le registre et des exemples.

Clarify

Top 1000 (très courant)B2verb

Explain

Top 1000 (très courant)A1verb
 ClarifyExplain
Prononciation🇬🇧 /["/ˈklærəfaɪ/","/ˈklærəfaɪz/","/ˈklærəfaɪd/","/ˈklærəfaɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈklærəfaɪ/","/ˈklærəfaɪz/","/ˈklærəfaɪd/","/ˈklærəfaɪɪŋ/"]/🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈspleɪn/","/ɪkˈspleɪnz/","/ɪkˈspleɪnd/","/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈspleɪn/","/ɪkˈspleɪnz/","/ɪkˈspleɪnd/","/ɪkˈspleɪnɪŋ/"]/
SensTo make something clear or easy to understand.To make something clear or easy to understand.
ExempleI need you to clarify your instructions so that everyone understands the task.Can you explain how this machine works?
RegistreNeutreNeutre
FréquenceTop 1000 (très courant)Top 1000 (très courant)
Niveau CEFRB2A1
Nature grammaticaleverbverb
Collocationsfully, exactly, further, attempt to, seek to, try toin detail, fully, adequately, be able to, be unable to, can, about, to, explain everything, go a long way, some way, etc. towards/​toward explaining something, in detail, fully, adequately, be able to, be unable to, can, about, to, explain everything, go a long way, some way, etc. towards/​toward explaining something
Antonymesconfuse, muddle, obscureconfuse, obscure, complicate
Erreurs fréquentes'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.Using 'explain' without an object, e.g., 'I will explain' instead of 'I will explain the concept.', Confusing 'explain' with 'describe' – 'explain' is about making something clear, while 'describe' is about detailing., Misusing the tense, e.g., saying 'I explained' when referring to a future action.
Notes d'usageUse '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 'explain' when you want to clarify or make something easier to understand. It's appropriate in both speaking and writing, but avoid using it in highly formal contexts where more technical terms might be preferred.

Questions fréquentes : Clarify vs Explain

Quelle est la différence entre Clarify et Explain ?

Clarify: To make something clear or easy to understand. Explain: To make something clear or easy to understand.

Lequel est le plus avancé : Clarify et Explain ?

Clarify est le niveau le plus élevé, à B2, sur l'échelle CEFR.

Clarify et Explain sont-ils au même niveau CEFR ?

Clarify: B2, Explain: A1 sur l'échelle CEFR.

Quelle est la nature grammaticale de Clarify et Explain ?

Clarify: verb, Explain: verb.

Peux-tu montrer un exemple de chacun ?

Clarify: I need you to clarify your instructions so that everyone understands the task. Explain: Can you explain how this machine works?

Puis-je utiliser Clarify et Explain de façon interchangeable ?

Pas toujours. Clarify et Explain sont proches et se recoupent parfois, mais elles diffèrent par le registre, la fréquence et l'usage, donc remplacer l'une par l'autre peut changer le sens ou le ton. Regarde les différences ci-dessus avant de substituer.