Need to clarify vs I need to clarify

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Need to clarify' is a general statement, while 'I need to clarify' is more specific and personal. The choice between them depends on whether you want to emphasize the subject 'I' or keep the statement more general.

Last updated: March 23, 2024

Need to clarify

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is a general statement indicating the necessity of providing clarification. It can be used in various contexts to express the need for further explanation or details.

Examples:

I think we need to clarify the instructions before we start the project.
There seems to be a misunderstanding, so we need to clarify the situation.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask. We may need to clarify some points.
The report is confusing, and we need to clarify the findings.
Before making a decision, we need to clarify all the details.

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Action 5. Need to clarify certain legal issues and to technically review the Directive
These infringement procedures certainly demonstrate the need to clarify and improve legislation.
So any legislative follow-up instrument would need to clarify its relationship with other Community instruments.
There is an urgent need to clarify and provide a proper interpretation of the meaning of 'locally produced' to ensure transparency and avoid deceiving consumers.
We need to clarify how it will work in practice.
In essence, however, we first need to clarify three points.
We just need to clarify a few issues before we execute the transaction.
There is a need to clarify when information should be forwarded to IDOC and other Commission services and to define the term minor wrongdoing.
The ECB sees a need to clarify its status regarding the exemption of central banks from the proposed banking directive.
We need to clarify internal accounting arrangements and to give greater penalties to States which take inadequate approaches to fraud.
Nonetheless, Parliament feels there is still a need to clarify Article 158 of the Treaty on island areas.
In my view, this is the fundamental political problem that we need to clarify first of all in order to take consistent action.
In terms of the need to clarify this provision, I will simply point out that the Lisbon Treaty did not amend it.
In addition, we need to clarify what those people working in the Commission who are paid externally are actually doing.
The application of Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 has also highlighted the need to clarify the relationship between the accounting standards required by Directive 83/349/EEC and IFRS.
Experience gained during the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 448/2001 has shown that there is a need to clarify and simplify those requirements.
We need to clarify some particular issues, such as those regarding public documents - I cannot remember who it was that raised this point.
That is something we need to clarify with any country which decides it wants to join the European Union.
I myself have revised my own views several times regarding the very nature of subsidiarity and, in particular, the need to clarify responsibilities.
As a first step there is a need to clarify the EU's existing legal framework through an interpretative communication to improve understanding and to facilitate better and more consistent application.

Alternatives:

require clarification
must clarify
should clarify
have to clarify
need clarification

I need to clarify

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

'I need to clarify' is a more specific statement where the subject 'I' is emphasized. It is used when the speaker wants to personally take responsibility for providing clarification.