Would you explain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Would you explain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are politely asking someone to clarify or provide more information about a topic. Example: "Would you explain the process of how this machine operates?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Would you explain the title?

The New Yorker

Would you explain this more?

The Washington Post

Would you explain the difference?

The New York Times

Would you explain how, when you say judges should -- or, I'm sorry, let me just ask.

The Washington Post

Would you explain how you're able to get them to assemble these materials?

MIT Technology Review

Would you explain that, because I think it's a fascinating insight which would help our audience understand this debate.

University of California, Berkeley

Would you explain to the American people why it is so important that you should remain in this office?

The Washington Post

Would you explain it?

TechCrunch

Would you explain some of the work you're doing with your students and colleagues?

Duke University

Would you explain how you select no-load mutual funds for investment?

Forbes

Would you explain their position if they're not able to speak up for themselves?

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Would you explain" when you want a polite and indirect way to ask someone to clarify something they've said or written. It's suitable for both formal and informal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "Would you explain" in contexts where a more direct question is appropriate. Overusing it can make your communication sound unnecessarily indirect or hesitant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Would you explain" functions as an interrogative clause, specifically a polite request for clarification or further information. It seeks to elicit an explanation from the listener or reader, as demonstrated by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

26%

Science

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Would you explain" is a grammatically correct and very common interrogative phrase used to politely request clarification or further information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for various contexts, ranging from news and media to academia and science. When seeking alternatives, consider options like "could you elaborate" or "can you clarify". Remember to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse in situations where a more direct question would be more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Could you elaborate

Formal request for expanding on a point.

Can you clarify

Direct request for making something clearer.

Please explain

A more direct and slightly less polite request.

Could you give more detail

Asks for a higher level of granularity.

Explain further

Concise request for more explanation.

Can you break it down

Asks for simplification of a complex topic.

Could you walk me through it

Request for step-by-step explanation.

Can you expand on that

Inquires about providing additional information.

Tell me more about

An invitation to provide additional information.

What do you mean by

To ask for clarification on what was meant previously.

FAQs

How to use "Would you explain" in a sentence?

Use "Would you explain" to politely request clarification or further information. For example: "Would you explain the difference between these two concepts?"

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

You can use alternatives like "can you clarify", "could you elaborate", or "please explain" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "Would you explain" or "Can you explain"?

"Would you explain" is generally considered more polite and formal than "can you explain". The latter is more direct and suitable for informal situations.

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

Both "Would you explain" and "could you explain" are polite ways to ask for clarification. "Would you explain" is slightly more formal, while "Could you explain" is a bit more common in everyday conversation.