ask him to explain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask him to explain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want someone to request clarification or further information from another person. Example: "If you're still confused about the topic, you should ask him to explain it in more detail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I ask him to explain.

The Guardian - Film

I ask him to explain what he means.

The Guardian

I had to ask him to explain the joke.

The New York Times

I ask him to explain an image of a crab.

The Guardian - Arts

He smirks when I ask him to explain himself.

The Guardian - Arts

I would ask him to explain how he got the ideas for his startups.

Stanford University

Over fried bread, beans and mushrooms, I ask him to explain Blue Labour.

Independent

I was going to ask him to explain more, but then he died.

The New Yorker

That's rather wonderful in a way, isn't it?" I ask him to explain.

The Guardian

You write to your ex-partner to ask him to explain himself.

The Guardian - Opinion

He hoped she wouldn't ask him to explain the difference between Anglicans and Catholics — or the history behind it all.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ask him to explain", ensure the context makes it clear who "him" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid phrasing like "he was asked to explain", as it can weaken the impact of your writing. Instead, actively state who is doing the asking: "I asked him to explain."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ask him to explain" is as an imperative phrase, used to directly request or instruct someone to provide an explanation. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ask him to explain" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to request clarification or a more detailed account from someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and versatile. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, but is also prevalent in academic and wiki sources. While generally neutral in tone, alternative phrasings like "request he elaborate" might be more suitable for formal settings. Remember to ensure clarity by specifying who "him" refers to and avoid passive voice constructions for stronger writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seek his explanation

A slightly more formal way of asking for an explanation.

have him clarify

A more concise way to ask for clarification.

request he elaborate

Focuses on a more formal and direct request for detail.

prompt him for clarification

Suggests gently encouraging someone to provide a clearer explanation.

invite him to elaborate

Offers a polite and encouraging way to ask for more information.

inquire about his reasoning

Emphasizes seeking the reasons or logic behind someone's actions or statements.

solicit his interpretation

Highlights asking for his understanding or perspective on a matter.

get his perspective

Focuses on obtaining his viewpoint or understanding.

press him for details

Suggests a more insistent request for specific information.

pick his brain

An informal way of seeking his expertise or knowledge.

FAQs

What's the difference between "ask him to explain" and "asked him to explain"?

"Ask him to explain" is present tense, used for general instructions or current situations. "Asked him to explain" is past tense, describing a completed action in the past.

How can I make "ask him to explain" sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "request he elaborate" or "seek his explanation".

What can I say instead of "ask him to explain" in an informal context?

In casual conversation, you might say "have him clarify" or "pick his brain".

Is it correct to say "ask to him explain"?

No, the correct phrasing is "ask him to explain". The word order is crucial for proper grammar.