carefully explain

USAGE SUMMARY

"carefully explain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to direct someone to explain something in detail, using caution. For example: "Please carefully explain why you were late to the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"We do carefully explain to the students their potential responsibilities in terms of employment law.

The Guardian - Film

For example, the book continues to carefully explain principles, illustrate them, and analyze the illustrations.

Stanford University

What the dialogue doesn't carefully explain or predict is explained or predicted by ominous music and special effects.

The New York Times

It is crucial, though, for researchers to carefully explain such results in their papers to prevent misinterpretation.

The New York Times

"We carefully explain what they'd be facing in trying to restore such a car," Mr. Drewry said.

The New York Times

Jon Stewart has had to really carefully explain to viewers when it is and isn't OK to shoot people.

Independent

To make this process clear and constructive, we will seek your input on negotiable issues and carefully explain to you why certain aspects of the project are nonnegotiable.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

The situation is extraordinary, yet carefully explained.

The Guardian - Books

"It's not narration," Mr. Mekas carefully explains.

The New York Times

The details are, carefully, explained in the manuscript.

Materials & Design

Ms. Ravel carefully explained how to work out the solution.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "carefully explain", consider your audience's level of understanding. Tailor the explanation to their existing knowledge to ensure clarity and avoid overwhelming them with unnecessary details.

Common error

Avoid using "carefully explain" when discussing straightforward topics. Over-explaining can make you sound condescending or imply the listener is less intelligent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "carefully explain" functions as an adverb-verb combination where "carefully" modifies the verb "explain", indicating the manner in which something should be explained. As supported by Ludwig, it directs to explain something in detail and using caution.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "carefully explain" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that emphasizes the need for thoroughness and clarity in explanations. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is correct and useful in written English. Its frequency and usage across various contexts, especially in news media, academia, and science, demonstrate its versatility and importance in ensuring clear communication. When employing this phrase, writers should focus on tailoring explanations to their audience and avoiding over-explanation of simple topics. Consider the semantic relationship to other similar phrases such as "thoroughly explain" and "clearly elucidate" for additional nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thoroughly explain

Emphasizes the completeness and comprehensiveness of the explanation.

clearly elucidate

Focuses on making the explanation easy to understand, often in a more formal context.

meticulously detail

Highlights the precision and attention to detail in the explanation.

explicitly state

Stresses the directness and unambiguity of the explanation.

elaborate with precision

Focuses on expanding the explanation with accuracy and exactness.

spell out in detail

Suggests a very clear and step-by-step explanation, leaving no room for ambiguity.

break down meticulously

Implies dividing a complex topic into smaller, manageable parts with great attention to detail.

walk through step by step

Highlights a sequential, guided explanation process.

present a detailed account

Focuses on providing a comprehensive and thorough narrative explanation.

fully clarify

Stresses the completeness of making something clear and understandable.

FAQs

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

You can use "carefully explain" to emphasize the importance of a detailed and clear explanation. For example, "The teacher should carefully explain the rules of the game to the students."

What are some alternatives to "carefully explain"?

Alternatives include "thoroughly explain", "clearly elucidate", or "meticulously detail", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "carefully explain"?

While "explain" inherently implies a level of clarity, adding "carefully" emphasizes the need for precision and thoroughness. The appropriateness depends on context. In cases where misunderstanding could have serious consequences, "carefully explain" is not redundant.

When is it best to use "carefully explain" rather than simply "explain"?

Use "carefully explain" when the subject matter is complex, sensitive, or requires a high degree of accuracy. For instance, you might "carefully explain" medical procedures, legal terms, or technical specifications.