clarify a point

Meaning

To make a specific statement, idea, or detail clearer and easier to understand. It is commonly used in business meetings, presentations, and emails when someone wants to explain something in more detail to avoid any confusion.

Examples

• Could you please clarify a point about the budget before we move on?

  Could you please clarify a point about the budget before we move on?

• I'd like to clarify a point regarding our delivery timeline.

  I'd like to clarify a point regarding our delivery timeline.

• She paused during the presentation to clarify a point that seemed to confuse the clients.

  She paused during the presentation to clarify a point that seemed to confuse the clients.

• Just to clarify a point, are we launching the app in September or October?

  Just to clarify a point, are we launching the app in September or October?

• The manager sent a follow-up email to clarify a point from this morning's meeting.

  The manager sent a follow-up email to clarify a point from this morning's meeting.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I need to clear a point from your email.

  ✓ I need to clarify a point in your email.

  'Clear' means to remove or clean, whereas 'clarify' means to make something clear or understandable.

• ✗ Let me clarify about a point you made.

  ✓ Let me clarify a point you made.

  'Clarify' is a transitive verb in this context and does not require the preposition 'about' before its direct object.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Before we sign the contract, I would like to ___ regarding the payment terms.

  💡 Make a specific detail clearer.

  Show answer

  clarify a point

• Could you ___ about who is responsible for this task?

  💡 Explain a specific detail to resolve confusion.

  Show answer

  clarify a point