Can you explain

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "Can you explain" is correct and can be used in written English
You can use it to ask someone to give you more information or to explain something to you. Example: "I don't understand how this works. Can you explain it to me?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Can you explain its benefits?

The New York Times

Can you explain your reasoning?

The New York Times

Can you explain this more?

The New Yorker

Can you explain "the read"?

The New York Times

Can you explain her thinking?

The New York Times - Magazine

Can you explain that formula?

The New Yorker

Can you explain its impact?

The Guardian

Can you explain extended play?

The Guardian - Tech

Can you explain the problems?

The New Yorker

Can you explain the difference there?

The New York Times

Can you explain what you mean?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Can you explain" to politely request clarification or further details on a subject.

Common error

While "Can you explain" is perfectly acceptable, varying your requests for clarification can make your writing more engaging. Try alternatives like "Could you elaborate?" or "Can you clarify?" to add variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Can you explain" functions as an interrogative request, specifically seeking clarification or further details about a topic. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a standard and acceptable way to ask someone to provide an explanation, as demonstrated in many examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Can you explain" is a grammatically sound and exceedingly common phrase used to request clarification or additional information. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for various settings, from casual conversations to professional communications. While highly versatile, varying your phrasing with alternatives like "Could you elaborate?" or "Can you clarify that?" can enhance your writing style. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, as well as scientific writing. Use "Can you explain" to politely and effectively seek deeper understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Could you elaborate?

Offers a more formal way to ask for more detail.

Can you clarify that?

Focuses specifically on making something clearer.

Please explain further

A polite request for additional explanation.

Could you give me more details?

Requests additional information about a topic.

What do you mean by that?

Directly challenges a previous statement, seeking clarification.

Can you break that down for me?

Asks for a simplification of a complex topic.

Tell me more about it

Suggests interest and asks for extended information.

How does that work?

Specifically seeks an explanation of a process or mechanism.

Can you walk me through it?

Requests a step-by-step explanation.

What's the meaning of that?

Inquires about the definition or significance.

FAQs

How can I use "Can you explain" in a sentence?

You can use "Can you explain" to politely ask someone to clarify something you don't understand. For example, "I'm not sure I follow. "Can you explain" it again?"

What can I say instead of "Can you explain"?

You can use alternatives like "Could you elaborate?", "Can you clarify that?" or "What do you mean by that?" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "Can you explain me"?

No, it is not correct. The correct phrase is "Can you explain to me" or simply ""Can you explain"?". For example, "Can you explain this concept to me?"

What's the difference between "Can you explain" and "Could you explain"?

"Could you explain" is generally considered more polite and formal than ""Can you explain"". Both are grammatically correct, but "Could you explain" is often preferred in professional settings.