Explain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Explain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when requesting someone to clarify or provide details about a topic or concept. Example: "Can you explain the process of photosynthesis in simple terms?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How to explain this?

The Economist

Referring to the accusations that she had "played the gender card" by calling out sexism, she said her position as the first female incumbent "does not explain everything about my prime ministership and does not explain nothing about my prime ministership".

The Guardian

"We've got to explain why they are compassionate too".

The Economist

Students can present their egg to the class and explain why they chose that species.

The Guardian

"It's very difficult to explain to people – particularly my Yolgnu constituents – who come to me about public housing and say why can't I have one of these empty houses?" says Walker.

The Guardian

How was I to explain to him that to me, seeing Achebe would be similar to, say, a Catholic coming face to face with his patron saint?

The Guardian - Books

To listen to the other person's point of view and to explain our point of view is the essence of politics.

The Guardian

Starting with a recipe for whole suckling pig, it goes on to explain how every part of the animal can be cooked, cured or smoked.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Government need to explain who authorised the use of terrorism legislation in this case and what the justification was.

The Guardian

"We have spoken to the parents who were visiting force headquarters with their children to explain what happened and have apologised for any distress caused".

The Guardian

Unfairness needs no deeper philosophy to explain it than this.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "explain", ensure you provide enough context for the audience to understand the subject matter. Clarity is key.

Common error

Avoid over-explaining complex topics to those already familiar with the basics. Tailor your explanation to the audience's knowledge level.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "explain" is as a verb. It describes the action of making something understandable or clear. Ludwig AI confirms that "Explain" is commonly used in various contexts to convey this action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66.66%

Lifestyle

16.67%

Opinion

16.67%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "Explain" functions as a verb used to clarify or elucidate a topic, making it understandable. As verified by Ludwig AI, this word is grammatically correct and very common across different writing styles, including news, lifestyle, and opinion pieces. While alternatives like "clarify" or "elaborate" exist, "Explain" remains a versatile choice. Be mindful to provide sufficient context and tailor your explanation to your audience's knowledge level for maximum clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Clarify

Focuses on making something clearer and easier to understand, often by removing ambiguities.

Elaborate

Involves adding more details to enhance understanding, often expanding on a point.

Expound

Means to present and explain a theory or idea in detail.

Explicate

Means to analyze and develop an idea or principle in detail.

Illustrate

Uses examples or visual aids to make something easier to understand.

Interpret

Focuses on explaining the meaning of something, especially something ambiguous.

Describe

Provides a detailed account of something, focusing on its attributes and characteristics.

Outline

Provides a summary of the key points, offering a high-level overview.

Demystify

Aims to make something less complicated and easier to understand, often by removing jargon.

Articulate

Focuses on expressing something clearly and effectively.

FAQs

How can I use "explain" in a sentence?

You can use "explain" to describe the act of making something clear or understandable. For example, "Can you explain the process?" or "The teacher will explain the theorem".

What can I say instead of "explain"?

You can use alternatives like "clarify", "elaborate", or "interpret" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "explain" and "describe"?

"Explain" focuses on making something understandable, often by providing reasons or causes. "Describe" provides details about something without necessarily making it understandable.

When should I use "explain" versus "explicate"?

"Explain" is a general term for making something clear. "Explicate" is more formal and suggests a detailed analysis to reveal meaning or implications.