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Grammar fix

shed light on

clarify

to make something easier to understand by providing new information

collocationC1occasional

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • The study sheds light on why teenagers sleep so little.society
  • Documentaries can shed light on issues that the daily news rarely has time to explain properly.IELTS Part 3

Fix the pattern

Pattern: shed light on something

WrongThe study shed light to the problem.

RightThe study shed light on the problem.

'Shed light ON' something, not 'to'.

Patternshed light on something

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff The report elucidates the underlying causes.

Natural The report sheds light on the real causes.

'Shed light on' is the natural (slightly formal) phrase for clarifying; 'elucidates' is bookish.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • shed light on
    on the issueon what happenedsome lightnew light

Don't confuse it

Figurative explaining, not literally lighting something up.

Try it in Daily Speak →