Guide 65 / 200 6 swaps Formal register
Professional words for “explain”
Five verbs for different kinds of explanation.
i · When it mattersTwo lines, no filler
"Clarify" corrects a misunderstanding. "Elucidate" sheds light on the obscure. "Articulate" puts into precise words. Picking the right verb signals what you are actually doing.
ii · The swaps6 ways
- 01Clarify neutral
remove confusion
Clarify the policy for the team.
- 02Elucidate formal
shed light on the obscure
Elucidate the underlying mechanism.
- 03Articulate formal
put into precise words
Articulate the team's concerns.
- 04Demonstrate formal
show through example or evidence
Demonstrate the method in practice.
- 05Illustrate neutral
show through example
Illustrate with a case from the pilot.
- 06Outline neutral
give the shape, not the detail
Outline the approach for the board.