clarifying

Everyday

1. Making something clearer or easier to understand, by explaining it more. tree →
2. (cooking) Making a liquid, such as butter or soup, clear by removing the bits in it. tree →
3. (adjective) Helping to make something clear: «a clarifying question». tree →

In the lessons

In school pupils ask clarifying questions when they don't understand the task: «Do you mean the total or the difference?» In maths, clarifying the question before solving stops mistakes. In cooking, clarified butter has the white milky part taken out. Phrases: «a clarifying question», «clarifying the rules», «clarified butter».

Examples

• Can I ask a clarifying question, please? tree →
• The teacher was clarifying the rules of the game. tree →
• Thanks for clarifying that; now I understand. tree →
• Clarifying the question first helps you solve it. tree →
• Mum is clarifying butter for the curry. tree →
• The coach drew a picture, clarifying where everyone should stand. tree →

Note

Spelling: clarify → clarifies, clarified (y changes to i), but clarifying keeps the y. Noun: clarification. Formal-ish; in everyday speech people say «explain» or «make clear».