I should explain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I should explain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a sentence when you want to introduce an explanation or clarify further information for your audience. For example: "I should explain that I don't have any formal training in architecture, but I'm confident I can learn quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I should explain.

The New York Times

Maybe I should explain.

The New York Times

Sorry, I should explain.

Cornell University

11.55am GMT I should explain.

The Guardian - Film

"That was you?" Perhaps I should explain.

The New York Times - Sports

I should explain what I meant.

The Guardian - Books

Perhaps I should explain about my parents.

The Guardian

I should explain why I even considered doing this.

The New York Times

I thought that maybe I should explain my situation.

The New York Times

I should explain this column's title, "Robert Bork's Tragedy".

The New York Times

I should explain that we are floaters on Thanksgiving.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I should explain" to smoothly transition into providing context, background, or clarification, ensuring your audience understands the reasoning behind a statement or action. It's an effective way to signal that important supplementary information is coming.

Common error

While "I should explain" is useful, avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with it. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your sentence structure by incorporating explanations directly into your sentences or using different introductory phrases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I should explain" functions as a discourse marker, signaling the speaker's intention to provide additional information, clarification, or context. It prefaces an explanation and prepares the listener or reader for supplementary details. According to Ludwig AI, this is a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I should explain" is a versatile and commonly used introductory phrase that signals an upcoming explanation or clarification. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts, primarily appearing in news and media. While it's useful for providing context, it's best to avoid overuse to maintain writing clarity. Consider using alternatives like "let me clarify" or "allow me to elaborate" to add variety to your writing. Remember that its neutral tone makes it suitable for both formal and informal situations, and its primary purpose is to ensure understanding and prevent confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What I mean is

Focuses on clarifying the speaker's intention or meaning behind their words.

In other words

Provides a simpler or more direct explanation of something already stated.

Let me clarify

Focuses on making something clearer, often implying a correction or refinement of a previous statement.

Perhaps I can clarify

Offers a gentler approach to providing clarity, suggesting the speaker is open to questions.

By that, I mean

Directly links the explanation to a specific term or phrase used previously.

Allow me to elaborate

Suggests a more detailed explanation is to follow, expanding on the initial point.

I'd like to add

Indicates the addition of supplementary information, often to reinforce a point.

Let me put it this way

Signals an attempt to explain something using a different perspective or approach.

It's important to note that

Highlights the significance of the information being presented, emphasizing its relevance.

To put it another way

Indicates a rephrasing of the previous statement for better understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "I should explain" in a sentence?

"I should explain" is typically used to introduce additional information or clarify a previous statement. For instance, "I should explain that I don't have any experience in this field, but I'm willing to learn."

What are some alternatives to "I should explain"?

You can use alternatives like "let me clarify", "allow me to elaborate", or "in other words depending on the context".

When is it appropriate to use "I should explain"?

It's appropriate to use "I should explain" when you sense that your audience might need more context or a clearer understanding of something you've said. It sets the stage for providing necessary details.

Is "I should explain" formal or informal?

"I should explain" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the overall tone of your writing or conversation.