klarlägger

Klarlägger is a Swedish verb meaning to clarify something by presenting facts, reasoning, or evidence in a clear and explicit way, so that ambiguities are removed. It implies revealing connections or causality and making the underlying basis for conclusions obvious.

Usage and forms: Klarlägga is transitive, taking an object. In present tense you say klarlägger, as in “Forskaren klarlägger sambandet mellan faktorerna.” The past participle is klarlagt, used in perfect tenses or passive constructions, for example “Fynden har klarlagts.” The noun form klarläggande (the act of clarifying) is also used in formal writing.

Nuance and contexts: Klarlägga is stronger than merely explaining or clarifying. It often carries the sense of exposing root causes, presenting evidence, or constructing a transparent argument that removes doubt. It is common in scientific reports, investigative journalism, and legal or administrative writing when the aim is to demonstrate how conclusions follow from data or facts.

Etymology: The word combines klar, clear, with lägga, to lay out or place, reflecting the idea of laying out information so that it becomes clear.

Relation to related terms: It is closely related to klargöra (to make clear) and förtydliga (to further clarify), but klarlägga emphasizes the explicit demonstration of connections or evidence rather than a general clarification.

See also: klargöra, förtydliga, utreda.