Useful Words and Phrases for Clarification

Useful Words and Phrases for Clarification (B1–C1 English Guide)

Hello, dear English learners. Today we are looking at a set of words and expressions that help you clarify your ideas—perfect for essays, reports, presentations, or everyday communication. When you want to explain something more clearly or give extra detail, these phrases are your best friends. Useful Words and Phrases for Clarification

Let’s walk through them one by one, with clear meanings and natural example sentences.

After all

We use after all to give a reason that supports what we just said.

• The rain has stopped. After all, we can go out and play golf.
• All our friends have arrived already. The party is going to be a success after all.
• Sara visited Mark while she was in London. After all, he’s her first cousin.

In fact

Use in fact when you want to add more details, give extra information, or correct a misunderstanding.

• I failed the driving test. In fact, I got almost everything wrong.
• Sam and Patrick have the same surname but are not related, in fact.
• We’re not cooking tonight. In fact, our friends invited us to dinner.

In other words

Use this phrase to rephrase something and make it easier to understand.

• Mary’s cousin is a fraud — in other words, a thief.
• The tax will affect people with above-average salaries — in other words, wealthy people.
• Be careful with this agreement — in other words, don’t sign it if you have doubts.

To clarify

Use to clarify when you want to make something clearer or more precise.

• The internet can be dangerous for children. To clarify, it contains a lot of inappropriate content.
• This operating system has too many interruptions. To clarify, it crashes often. Useful Words and Phrases for Clarification
• To lose weight, you must take in fewer calories than you burn. To clarify, eat less than you spend.

Certainly

Certainly emphasises that something is definitely true.

• I used to write in school, but I certainly never expected to become a writer.
• His theory is interesting, but it’s certainly not new.

I.E.

This Latin abbreviation means that is and is used to restate something more precisely.

• The hotel will be closed during the low season, i.e. in February.
• To sell this car, you must lower the price, i.e. make it more affordable.

That is to say

Similar to i.e., this phrase helps you explain something more clearly.

• Our cousin — that is to say, my husband’s cousin — will be waiting for us at the airport.
• I’m looking forward to seeing you soon — that is to say, next week.

Such as

We use such as to introduce examples that clarify the previous statement.

• Students at our college study social sciences such as sociology, psychology, and linguistics.
• Some alcoholic drinks, such as wine, are made by fermentation. Useful Words and Phrases for Clarification

To put it another way

A useful phrase for rephrasing something, especially in formal writing.

• John felt as if life was passing him by; to put it another way, he no longer enjoyed it.
• Scientists believe the star came from interstellar space; to put it another way, from a different solar system.

To be specific / To be more specific

Use these when you want to give a clearer or more detailed explanation.

• I advise you not to sign that contract. To be specific, it can be terminated too easily.
• They grow tropical fruit on the island. To be more specific, oranges, lemons, and grapefruits.

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