What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
purify
Example
The water needs to be purified before it can be used for drinking. [purified: past participle]
Example
The air purifier helps to purify the air in the room. [purify: verb]
clarify
Example
Can you clarify what you meant by that statement? [clarify: verb]
Example
The teacher clarified the instructions for the assignment. [clarified: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Clarify is more commonly used than purify in everyday language. Clarify is versatile and can be applied to various contexts, while purify is less common and typically used in more formal or technical settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between purify and clarify?
While purify is typically associated with a more formal tone, clarify can be used in both formal and informal contexts, allowing it to be employed in a wide range of situations.
