careful to explain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "careful to explain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when emphasizing the importance of providing a clear and thorough explanation in a given context. Example: "The teacher was careful to explain the complex concepts so that all students could understand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Gardner has been careful to explain that 'the people who shot us were madmen'.

The Guardian - Books

Nasser was careful to explain: It does not include common-law thieves and burglars.

The Guardian - Opinion

And be careful to explain the type of translation you expect, such as word-for-word translation or a summary.

Harvard University

Throughout the book, Cone was careful to explain that a black-centered Church need not be a black-separatist Church.

The New Yorker

Judge Parker was careful to explain in his remarks the differences among the three branches of government.

The New York Times

"Ben was very careful to explain to me what would happen when it was broadcast on television.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

They have been careful mainly to explain what the signal is not, namely distant galaxies or decaying particles of exotic dark matter.

The New York Times - Science

Sanford's careful efforts to explain that the rank of major general "would carry with it the command of a large 'corps d'armée' to conduct in his own way" did little to persuade him.

The New York Times

BP press officers were careful not to explain exactly what "Beyond Petroleum" meant, but the slogan, coupled with the cheerful sunburst, sent the message that the company was looking past oil and gas toward a benign, eco-friendly future of solar and renewable energy.

The New York Times - Magazine

Everett was careful, however, to explain why this was entirely irrelevant to the conceptual problem at hand.

SEP

Written by experts in pediatric cardiology from the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions and the University of Utah Medical Center, this new edition of The Heart of a Child uses case examples, questions-and-answers, detailed drawings, and careful descriptions to explain the causes of heart disorders, how they are discovered and diagnosed, how they affect children, and how they are treated.

Johns Hopkins University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "careful to explain", ensure that you are indeed providing a detailed and clear explanation, not just a superficial overview. Context is key to ensuring that your audience understands the nuances you are presenting.

Common error

Avoid overwhelming your audience with excessive detail when using "careful to explain". Prioritize clarity and relevance over exhaustiveness. If something is implied or commonly known, resist the urge to reiterate it unnecessarily.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "careful to explain" functions as an infinitive phrase that modifies a verb, adjective, or noun, indicating the purpose or manner in which an action is performed. As Ludwig highlights, it emphasizes the deliberate and meticulous nature of the explanation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

30%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "careful to explain" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to emphasize the importance of clarity and thoroughness in providing an explanation. As Ludwig AI points out, it is found across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. When using this phrase, it's important to balance detailed explanation with clarity to avoid overwhelming the audience. Consider alternatives like "meticulous in explaining" or "diligent in clarifying" to add nuance. Remember, the goal is to ensure understanding without unnecessary verbosity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meticulous in explaining

Replaces "careful" with "meticulous", emphasizing thoroughness and precision.

diligent in clarifying

Focuses on the effort to make something clear, using "diligent" instead of "careful".

taking care to elucidate

Uses "elucidate" to highlight the act of making something understandable.

being sure to detail

Emphasizes the act of providing specific details, using "sure" to convey diligence.

making certain to spell out

Focuses on explicitly stating something to avoid ambiguity, using the idiom "spell out".

paying attention to explaining

Highlights the focus and attention given to the act of explaining.

assiduous in setting forth

Uses "assiduous" to denote persistent effort in presenting information clearly.

precise in outlining

Highlights exactness and clarity in presenting a structured explanation.

thorough in giving reasons

Emphasizes the completeness and depth of the explanation provided.

scrupulous in accounting for

Focuses on moral integrity and thoroughness in providing an explanation or justification.

FAQs

How can I use "careful to explain" in a sentence?

You can use "careful to explain" to emphasize the importance of providing a clear and thorough explanation. For instance, "The scientist was "careful to explain" the experimental procedure to ensure accurate replication".

What are some alternatives to "careful to explain"?

Alternatives include phrases like "meticulous in explaining", "diligent in clarifying", or "taking care to elucidate", each conveying a slightly different nuance of thoroughness and clarity.

Is it redundant to say "careful to explain in detail"?

While not strictly redundant, "careful to explain in detail" can be seen as slightly repetitive since "careful to explain" already implies a level of thoroughness. You could opt for the simpler phrase or emphasize a particular aspect with something like "careful to detail".

How does "careful to explain" differ from "trying to explain"?

"Careful to explain" implies a deliberate and meticulous effort to provide a clear and accurate explanation, while "trying to explain" simply indicates an attempt, without necessarily implying success or thoroughness. The former suggests a higher degree of intent and precision.